Mike Webb confirms important MotoGP rule change ahead of the Grand Prix of Qatar

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MotoGP has tweaked its rules ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix due to chaos during the third round of the season at COTA.

A chaotic start procedure saw Marc Marquez trigger a whole host of riders to follow him in the pitlane and swap to dry bikes just minutes before the start.

A red flag would follow, allowing everyone who had changed their minds to start the race on a different tyre penalty-free. It wasn’t a good look for MotoGP.

It was especially tough luck for the likes of Joan Mir and Ai Ogura, who had taken the gamble to start on slicks before the race anyway.

Francesco Bagnaia should have ordered a Marquez investigation but not for what happened pre-race, and more so for experiencing more issues with his Ducati bike.

Bagnaia suspected Marquez may crash before he fell off his bike. It has completely transformed the championship picture.

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Mike Webb confirms MotoGP rules have been ‘changed’ ahead of the Grand Prix of Qatar

Heading into the upcoming Grand Prix of Qatar, MotoGP has opted to tweak its rules in order to avoid a repeat of COTA should the weather play havoc again.

Those changing bikes before the start of a race can no longer start from the pitlane and must line up on the grid before serving a long-lap penalty.

Race director Mike Webb explained to the Italian edition of Motorsport.com why the specific change has been made.

“It has been changed because neither the organization nor the infrastructure are ready to accommodate a large number of drivers who change bikes just before the start of the race and place themselves at the bottom of the grid,” he said.

“For this reason, it was decided that everyone would start from their own position and the penalty would come later.

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Marc Marquez points out rider with ‘least respect’ for him in MotoGP

Winning the first five races of the season was enough to give Marquez a big championship advantage, but not enough for him to hold onto the lead after crashing out in race six.

Now his brother Alex leads the way for the first time during his career by one point, after securing six consecutive second-place finishes.

Marquez says Alex has the ‘least respect’ for him having seen him go through various difficult times and witnessing his recovery from accidents.

It could be an advantage as the season progresses. The younger Marquez is still yet to claim his first victory in the sport. It could come soon.