Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
MotoGP riders oppose fines for missing fan events
MotoGP plans to fine riders who miss fan events during grand prix weekends.
The championship told teams at the Indonesian Grand Prix that riders must attend for a minimum time or face a €5,000 fine.
At the Hero Walk, where riders meet fans for photos and autographs, the minimum is 10 minutes.
Several riders missed the event in Mandalika, and are expected to face the first fines under the new rules.
Riders including Pedro Acosta and Marc Marquez say the rules should account for their condition, recovery needs and demanding schedules.
Repeat violations could bring larger penalties, including grid penalties or points deductions in the championship standings.
MotoGP riders oppose a plan to fine them for missing fan events during grand prix weekends.
The championship told teams at the Indonesian Grand Prix that riders could be fined €5,000 for not meeting minimum attendance requirements.
The minimum attendance requirement at the Hero Walk is 10 minutes.
Repeat penalties could eventually include grid penalties or championship points deductions.
Riders said the rules do not account for individual circumstances, physical demands and the need to recover.
- Who
- MotoGP riders and the championship.
- What
- Riders oppose a plan to fine them for missing fan events or not staying long enough. The initial fine is €5,000.
- When
- The plan was communicated on Saturday at the Indonesian Grand Prix; the Hero Walk took place on Sunday.
- Where
- The Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika.
- Why
- Riders say the rules put too much pressure on them and may not account for their condition or need to recover.
MotoGP riders
MotoGP championship
Fines for missed events
MotoGP riders
Riders including Pedro Acosta and Marc Marquez oppose the plan, saying it fails to account for riders’ circumstances and puts too much pressure on them.
MotoGP championship
The championship plans to require minimum attendance at promotional events and impose fines for non-compliance.
Further penalties
MotoGP riders
Acosta said taking championship points or grid positions away would be ridiculous.
MotoGP championship
Repeat offences could eventually lead to grid penalties or points deductions.
Marc Marquez skipped a karting event in Japan and sent a stand-in.
MotoGP informed teams that riders could be fined €5,000 for failing to meet minimum attendance requirements.
The Hero Walk took place, and several notable riders were absent.
- Initial fine
- €5,000
- Hero Walk minimum attendance
- 10 minutes
- Hero Walk at Mandalika
- Sunday morning
- Event duration described
- 20 minutes
- Potential repeat-offence sanctions
- Grid penalties or points deductions
What people are saying
I'm not in agreement with this. In a situation like this, the championship doesn't know what condition a rider is in.
You can't take championship points or grid positions away from someone for missing an event. That's ridiculous.
But from my point of view, there are other ways for the championship to grow without putting so much pressure on riders and making so many demands of them.
It's a pretty difficult situation. If you skip the Hero Walk today or fail to stay for 10 minutes, it's €5,000. That's tough.
Sources
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