Moto2 wildcards to return for 2020
Following the latest Grand Prix Commission meeting, Moto2 will welcome the return of wildcard entries from 2020, while in MotoGP rookie riders will be permitted to take part in the Sepang shakedown test.
Moto2 wildcards were not allowed this season following the introduction of the new Triumph 765cc inline-3 engines due to the lack of availability of compatible chassis and engines for one-off entries.
But after a successful inaugural Moto2 world championship campaign with the new Triumph engines, wildcards will be permitted from 2020 for existing Moto2 teams. The decision to deny outsider teams from gaining wildcard entries is based on the lack of availability and operation of the mandatory Magneti Marelli ECU and software.
In MotoGP, two changes for 2020 have been confirmed.
With a reduction in pre-season testing set to be introduced from the end of the 2020 season, along with current testing restrictions on MotoGP teams, all premier class rookies will be permitted to take part in the three-day shakedown test at Sepang (2-4 February 2020).
The shakedown test takes place before the official three-day pre-season test in Malaysia (7-9 February 2020), with only test riders for factory teams and riders of teams with concessions (KTM and Aprilia) permitted to take part.
It effectively means Brad Binder and Iker Lecuona will be allowed to take part in the shakedown test for Red Bull KTM and Tech 3 KTM respectively, but the pair would have already been granted permission because KTM fall under the MotoGP concession team rules.
The final change from the Grand Prix Commission meeting held in Malaysia sees a tweak to the technical regulations for the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island.
Following high winds which hit the race weekend this season, blamed for Miguel Oliveira’s nasty FP4 crash at Turn 1 and the subsequent delay of qualifying to Sunday morning, MotoGP teams will have to remove side pods from all aero body setup on safety grounds.
The Commission also confirmed Race Direction will be able to decide whether the same rule should be applied at other events based on weather forecasts and conditions.
