The “unsafe” tyre pressure rule that has MotoGP riders worried

To close up a grey area in the regulations, MotoGP rule makers have mandated strict enforcement of minimum tyre pressures on the front and rear compounds for 2023.

Revelations that many riders had been operating outside of the front limit last year prompted the rule change, though most argued when quizzed on it that they did so on safety grounds.

For 2023, riders and teams must adhere to a minimum front tyre pressure of 1.9 bar (27.6psi) and 1.7 bar (24.7psi) on the rear.

This has led to fears of an increase in crashes in 2023, as many riders believe the risks of falling will greatly increase once the tyre reaches 2.2 bar (32psi) of front pressure – something that will affect those riding in packs.

Any riders found to have operated outside of the minimum limits could face lap time deletions in practice and qualifying, and disqualification from races.

Gresini Ducati rider Alex Marquez felt the front tyre pressure rule “has no sense” and noted that, had the rule been enforced last year, 13 riders would have likely been kicked out of the Australian Grand Prix.

“We worked quite a lot on the new rules of pressure, that are interesting,” Marquez said at the Sepang test last week.

“The front one, honestly, has no sense, especially for the race, because it can be unsafe.

“For the rear one, I totally agree. The whole weekend, time attack, everything [I was running above the minimum level].

“You can be disqualified [in the race]. In Australia, I think, 13 riders would have been disqualified, or something like this. Because you never know on the race where you will be.”

Marquez argued that there is “no advantage” to running front tyre pressures lower than the minimum 1.9 bar, and doesn’t believe the governing body for MotoGP – the FIM – will push forward with the regulation after the opening rounds.

“Also, being too low in the front will not be an advantage,” he added. “The first two races, that rule will not be on, so after two I think they will make the decision. But I think they will not do it [going forward].”

While rule changes always come with teething issues, one possible problem from the enforcement of the minimum front tyre pressure could ultimately be detrimental to the show.

With MotoGP introducing sprint races in 2023 in a bid to boost a dwindling viewership of the series, Marquez warned that every podium initially will be surrounded in doubt…