The Spanish MotoGP Grand Prix saw the first penalty for tire infringement in the 2024 season. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) was penalized by eight seconds, losing the third place in which he finished in the Sprint race.
The race was marked by difficult conditions, with the asphalt practically dry, but with some parts still damp due to the rain that fell hours before. Despite this state of the track, the tire pressure rules were still in effect.
This situation led Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing/Aprilia) to comment that the regulations should not be applied in wet track conditions. Piero Taramasso, director of tire supplier Michelin, admitted to the website GPOne.com that the issue will need to be analyzed:
– He is not wrong, because it is true that in the case of a race with rain, the pressure protocol is not applied. In the case of Jerez, the race was declared dry, so everything remained as usual, but it is still something we will take into account and discuss in the future.
