KTM protests 125 result, seeks rule clarification.

Red Bull KTM team boss Harald Bartol has declared that the protest lodged after today's 125cc Japanese grand Prix at Motegi was not personally directed against Swiss rider Thomas Luthi.

The KTM team asked for the capacity of Luthi's motor to be checked by the technical delegate after the race. Luthi's motor was found to be in conformity with the regulations.

"After the 125cc race our team has lodged protest to check the engine capacity of Luthi's bike which was not in parc ferme," began Bartol.

"The reason for this protest was nothing personal against Thomas Luthi, but as a catalyst to start a discussion on the current rules for when a race is stopped early because of crash.

"I think the sport needs to clarify this rule, which states that the race result will be declared as per the positions on the previously completed lap. The race director Paul Butler today has agreed that we need to have this discussion and that will now take place."

Today's Japanese GP was red-flagged after 15 laps when Luthi crashed and was then hit by Sergio Gadea, forcing the race to be stopped. The result was then taken from the previous lap, meaning that KTM rider Mika Kallio still won, but that Luthi was able to claim second, his position at the time of the crash.

Bartol said that the rule needs to take into account whether a rider, who is the primary cause of a race to be stopped early, should earn his normal championship points.

"Obviously there could be a situation where the world championship could be decided in favour of a rider, and not just a KTM rider, because of this rule," Bartol added. "Perhaps we should have an FIM rule like the world speedway championship where the rider who causes a race stoppage is eliminated from the result, I just want a fair rule that is applied equally for all riders."

L?thi, whilst fortunate to avoid serious injury, dislocated his shoulder in the crash and is doubtful for the next round in Malaysia, but the Swiss youngster still leads the championship by three-points from Kallio.