FIM

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that the starting procedure for both the Sprint Race and main race in MotoGP is identical, forgetting that there are distinct differences as outlined in Article 21 of Section 5: Rules of Play. They overlook the specific sequence and timing details for each race type, leading to misunderstandings about when riders should line up and start their engines during practice sessions.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that the 157 kg limit applies only during qualifying laps, forgetting that it must be maintained throughout every race lap, including those in between corners where riders might slow down to avoid collisions or take a corner more carefully. This oversight leads to misunderstandings about when and how this weight restriction impacts their strategy and performance on track.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that in MotoGP's Sprint Race and main race starting procedures, they're identical, which leads to misunderstandings. However, the official rule states there are slight differences—like a longer warm-up period before the Sprint Race starts compared to the main race—and this detail is frequently overlooked or misinterpreted, causing confusion among riders and fans alike.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that wild card entries are completely at Race Direction's discretion without any numerical limits, which leads to misunderstandings about how many such riders can be allowed in a season. In reality, there is indeed a limit on the number of wild card entries per season for standard constructors, as stated by the rule but not always explicitly highlighted or understood.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that the Race Direction panel's authority is absolute in every aspect of a MotoGP race, which leads them to misunderstand how much leeway they have in making decisions. In reality, while they are supreme at each event, their rulings can still be challenged or questioned by teams and constructors based on procedural fairness and due process within the rules framework.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that if a rider is disqualified during a MotoGP race, they can simply continue racing until the end of the lap where disqualification was announced. But in reality, the official verdict clearly states that the rider must stop immediately and return to the pit lane upon receiving the black flag display on their dashboard, regardless of how far into the lap they are.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that only the top 15 riders in each race get points, thinking it means they must finish within the top 15 to earn anything. However, what the rule actually states is that the top 15 classified finishers receive points, which can mean those just outside the top 15 who were still able to complete the race and be counted as "classified" also get rewarded with points.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that if a rider is suspected of having a concussion after crashing, they must immediately quit their race. However, the actual protocol states that riders should be medically evaluated by team doctors before deciding to continue racing, not that they have to stop instantly. This can lead to confusion about when and how to implement medical evaluations post-crash.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often assume that wild card entries are completely at Race Direction's discretion without any limits, which leads to misunderstandings about how many such entries can be made per season by standard constructors. The actual rule states there is a limit on the number of wild card entries per season for standard constructors, adding complexity and debate around implementation.

Why People Get This Wrong

People often think that a time penalty under 7.3 only applies if you're caught in a lap-by-lap review after the race is over, but actually, it can be applied during the race itself if serving a Ride-Through or Long Lap Penalty isn't feasible then. They miss the part where the rule states "cannot be served during the race," which means it could happen before the race ends as well.