Rookie riders banned from factory teams in rules overhaul
Added on Monday, March 30th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Rookie riders banned from factory teams in rules overhaul
Factory teams will be banned from recruiting rookie riders in MotoGP from 2010 as part of the latest raft of rule changes and cost-cutting measures.
Announced at this weekend’s Jerez test, factory teams will no longer be permitted to recruit riders who do not have at least one full-season of premier class racing experience, with all rookies now being forced to serve their apprenticeship with a privateer entry.
That would mean that current Yamaha World Superbikes rider Ben Spies will be unable to make his widely-tipped move to Fiat Yamaha for 2010 whilst the likes of 250cc champion Marco Simoncelli would be banned from signing with Fiat Yamaha, Rizla Suzuki or Repsol Honda in their first year.
Last season, Spaniard and 250cc Jorge Lorenzo rode in his premier class debut season with Fiat Yamaha.
Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta believes that the controversial move will make it easier for satellite teams, such as Tech 3 Yamaha, Gresini Honda and Pramac Ducati, to recruit big-name riders.
The introduction of the rookie ban is by far the most controversial in Dorna’s latest phase of cost-cutting measures, with concerns over the ability of satellite teams to finance big-money contracts for World Superbikes and support class stars. The ruling could also face legal scrutiny under EU employment law.
Other rule changes include the introduction of just one bike per rider in 2010, doing away with spare motorcycles whilst the minimum weight of the bikes has been increased by 2kg.
Limitations on the number of engines that may be used throughout the season have been clarified.
Due to the cancellation of this season’s Hungarian Grand Prix, the number of engines that may be used in the final seven rounds of the 2009 season now stands at five, with 2010′s engine limit set at six. The penalty for exceeding those limits will be a ten point deduction from the rider’s championship.
