Which riders received tire pressure penalties in the 2025 MotoGP season and what minimum pressure rules apply – all the info in a nutshell
2025 will be the third year that the system for monitoring the prescribed minimum pressure in the front tire has been used in MotoGP. Michelin introduced the system in response to the increased load on the front tire due to developments in aerodynamics and ride height systems.
If the prescribed tire pressure is not reached, mechanical grip increases in the short term – especially during braking and cornering. But the downside is risky: in extreme cases, too low a tire pressure can lead to structural damage to the tire.
This is exactly where the rule comes into play: the prescribed minimum pressure in the front tire is 1.80 bar as standard. Michelin engineers may decide to raise the minimum value for specific tracks.
Every MotoGP bike is equipped with standardized tire pressure sensors that record data in real time. The teams have no way of manipulating these measurement systems or circumventing them with their own calibrations.
The race control receives the data in real time. If there are any anomalies, the sensors, calibration, and data are checked by officials on the relevant motorcycle after the race. Only then will a penalty be imposed, if necessary.
The rule stipulates that the minimum pressure in the front tire must be maintained for a minimum period during the race: 60 percent of the total distance in the main race, 30 percent in the sprint.
This presents a delicate balancing act for the teams. A rider starting from the front row with a clear run must calculate with a higher starting pressure, as there may be no heat from a motorcycle in front to increase the pressure in the tires.
Conversely, a rider in the pack can take greater risks with lower starting pressure, but must be careful that the pressure does not fall below the critical threshold for too long during the race and does not rise too sharply in order to avoid performance problems.
Since 2024, time penalties have been introduced for riders who complete too many laps below the minimum duration: 16 seconds in the main race and 8 seconds in the sprint. These values have been chosen to have a significant impact on the race result.