The subsequent disqualification costs Manuel Gonzalez second place in Indonesia – Jürgen Lingg explains what the mistake was – Diogo Moreira now only 9 points behind
Bad news hit the German IntactGP team after the Moto2 race in Indonesia. Manuel Gonzalez was disqualified after the technical inspection. As a result, the Spaniard lost his second place in the race and 20 important World Championship points.
The FIM commissioners determined that Gonzalez’s motorcycle was using a non-homologated software version (M2_v13b2_SYS_v02.clx). This violates paragraph 2.5.3.5 of the regulations in the Electronics section.
It states: “Only the official electronic ignition/fuel injection control unit (ECU with integrated data logger), inertial measurement unit (IMU), dashboard, and switch panel from the official supplier are permitted.”
“Every ECU used in a Moto2 World Championship event must be registered with the Technical Director. This ECU must remain unchanged in hardware and software as supplied by the official supplier.“
”The only exceptions are normal tuning adjustments, which may only be made using the standard software (the setting tool) that is part of the Moto2 kit.”
“The use of additional devices or modules to modify the signals sent by the ECU to the actuators is prohibited. Fuel injectors, bypass systems, and ignition must be controlled exclusively by the original and unmodified ECU signal.”
What IntactGP says about the disqualification
The disqualification was imposed because the software version used was no longer up to date. “There was a transmission error during the last firmware update, in which only one parameter was updated,” explains IntactGP team boss Jürgen Lingg.
“Unfortunately, this was not signaled to us, and although Manu did not gain any advantage from it, we now have to accept the disqualification. Together, we will now work even harder to be ready for the final World Championship battle.”
Instead of a 29-point lead in the World Championship, Gonzalez now has only nine points more than Diogo Moreira, who celebrated his third victory of the season in Mandalika. There are still four races on the schedule in the fall, in which the World Championship will be decided.
“What can I say,” said Gonzalez about the disqualification. “I am, of course, extremely disappointed that we had this bad luck with the firmware update, which resulted in me being disqualified from today’s race.”
“Despite all the bad luck, we are taking the positive aspects of the day with us. The championship is now closer, but that doesn’t stress me out; rather, it motivates me to fight even harder and prepare even more intensively.“ ”We can’t undo what’s done, but we can roll back to the starting line in Australia at 100 percent and fight for our championship. I would also like to wish David a speedy recovery. We hope he can return to the track soon.” IntactGP rookie David Munoz was injured in an accident in the Moto3 race, which was subsequently stopped. The Spaniard was bumped by Adrian Fernandez, who received two long-lap penalties for the incident. Initial examinations at the medical center revealed a fracture of the left femur. Further examinations will be necessary to assess the full extent of his injury. Munoz was taken to a hospital by helicopter.