MotoGP introduces wireless tire technology

Marquez at Aragon

The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Ignacio Verneda (FIM CEO), Herve Poncharal (IRTA) and Takanao Tsubouchi (MSMA) in the presence of Carlos Ezpeleta (Dorna) and Mike Trimby (IRTA CEO, Secretary of the meeting, in an electronic meeting held on 15th. December 2016, made the following decisions:

Technical Regulations – MotoGP Class – Effective Season 2017

Automatic Detection of Tire Types

In collaboration with Michelin and the MotoGP class manufacturers a new system will be implemented that will enable automatic detection of the tires that riders are using and to make that information available to all riders and teams as well as to the TV broadcasters.

The tire detection is made by means of wireless technology. The information is then fed to the unified ECU and routed to the track timing system which reports via an updated version of the unified software.

Tire Allocations

To address the issue of a perceived disadvantage affecting riders who progress from QP1 to QP2, the two riders involved will now be able to choose an additional soft specification rear slick tire. The total number of tires available to such riders remains unchanged.

Addendum – Tire Allocations

In the information released concerning decisions of the Grand Prix Commission in Madrid held on the 2nd. of December it was stated that the maximum number of wet and dry track tires remains unchanged. This was incorrect. The maximum number of wet weather tires has been changed to five front and six rear. (Race Direction can still approve an additional allocation of one extra front and rear tires when all free practice and qualifying is held in wet conditions).