MotoGP: Mechanics to wear helmets for flag-to-flag changes
From the 2017 season, MotoGP mechanics wil꧋l be required to wear approved helmets during mid-race 'flag-to-flag' bike ch♓anges.
✱The use of helmets follows a scary incident for Alvaro Bautista in Argentina (see video below).
A further safety move will see a maximum of four mechanics allowed ꦓto assist each rider during the bike change.
what do you make of this pit stop then ? -- Carl h💮ough ♛(@Carl_Hough)
The Grand Prix Commission also confirmed that mechanics will be able to continue holding the clutch lever in, "to avoid the possibility of accidental engagement of a gear during the machine change...
"However, actual selection of the gear can only be made by the rider. Breach of this regulation, wh🦹ich can be determined from ECU data, will result in automatic disqualif♔ication."
Questions were raised about one of Marc Marquez's Repsol Honda mechanics holding his clutch lever at the Sachsenring, but checks by Race Direction proved the Spaniard ha▨d put the bike into gear himself - as required by the rules.
Race Director Mike Webb had consider💜ed banning mechanics from holding the clutch lever, to make visibly clear when the bike is in neutral, but the safety angle means it will continue to be allowed.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rꦚossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
