Aprilia calls for clearer rules for pit entry after the Marquez scene in Jerez – Although everything was in accordance with the rules, the maneuver continues to cause discussion
After the controversial scene involving Marc Marquez at the MotoGP sprint in Jerez, Aprilia is calling for clearer rules on pit entry. Although the Ducati rider did not violate any regulations on the way to his victory, both Aprilia and Ducati see a need for improvement in the regulations.
The specific issue is the situation following Marquez’s crash in the final corner. The Spaniard resumed the race and decided to change bikes due to the rainy conditions – it was a flag-to-flag race.
He rode towards the pit lane, although he had already passed the official entrance, and crossed an outer area that was not clearly regulated, partly over the grass. A scene that caused discussion in the paddock, even though Marquez acted within the current regulations.
“This needs to be corrected, because it is not clearly defined in the regulations,” criticized Aprilia team manager Paolo Bonora to the official MotoGP website.
At the moment, only the pit lane exit is clearly regulated. “The entrance to the pit lane must be defined much more precisely. After the possible advantage created by this maneuver, we should talk about it in more detail,” says Bonora.
Ducati: It was not a breach of the rules, but …
Ducati also sees a need for clarification, despite the fact that Marquez acted in accordance with the rules. “The fact is that Marc did not break the rules,” team manager Davide Tardozzi clarified on Sky. “Nevertheless, you should take every opportunity to improve the situation. I don’t know exactly what can be done, but if there is a way to make the situation even clearer, all the better.”
At the same time, Tardozzi underlines the prudent driving style of his driver: “I just want to emphasize that Marc did something that some people noticed, as the regulations stipulate: He waited before crossing the track safely.”
However, the scene caused mixed reactions in the paddock. “If he is not penalized for this, it is frankly very strange,” said Johann Zarco shortly after the incident. However, no sanction was imposed, as Marquez neither drove against the direction of travel nor obstructed other riders on the track.
More precise rules after Jerez controversy?
As far as the pit lane entrance is concerned, it was decided in Jerez that crossing the white line on the inside of the pit lane (left) was prohibited, as this could give a time advantage. However, the outer area, i.e. precisely the section that Marquez used, was not explicitly regulated.
If the rules were to be adjusted as a result of the scene, this would not be an isolated incident. Last year, Marquez had already triggered a chain reaction at the Grand Prix in Austin with a spontaneous bike change before the start.
Several riders followed his example, whereupon the race organizers aborted the start and subsequently revised the procedures with new, more specific rules.
