MOTOGP INTRODUCES PENALTIES FOR MISSED PROMOTIONAL DUTIES

MotoGP riders who skip required promotional appearances could face penalties ranging from a formal warning to lost practice time and a grid-place sanction under a new disciplinary process circulated to teams during the Australian Grand Prix.

The rules were sent in a confidential email from the International Race Team Association on Friday, according to The Race, which reviewed the message. They apply to obligations including Thursday’s press conference, pre-race promotional activities, Sunday’s rider parade and a required 10-minute appearance at autograph sessions or the Hero Walk. Arriving late or leaving early counts as missing the event.

The escalation begins with an official warning for a first offence. A second brings a €5,000 fine, rising to €10,000 for a third and €15,000 for a fourth. At that point, the case also goes to the FIM MotoGP stewards, who can issue a further formal warning. A fifth breach can cost a rider time in a practice session, while a sixth can result in a grid penalty.

Exceptions are allowed for riders who are injured or need medical treatment, as well as those already committed to promotional duties for their teams. The email says the measures are intended to ensure the championship meets its obligations to fans, commercial partners and race organisers. It also cites repeated breaches as the reason for introducing a clear, transparent process. The stewards, whose role has previously focused on sporting penalties on track, will therefore have a part in enforcing promotional requirements too.

The rules follow an incident at the Japanese Grand Prix involving Marc Márquez. The multiple-time world champion declined to take part in a Sunday-morning kart race at Motegi. A stand-in sent in his place was discovered, and officials reprimanded him.

Márquez said he understood the importance of promoting the sport, particularly as new owner Liberty Media puts greater emphasis on its growth, but argued that racing must come first. “There is a certain limit,” he said. “Of course I understand the show aspect, but we are fighting for the championship—we are not here to mess around or take part in kart races.”

He explained that after warm-up he needed ice for his injured right shoulder. Someone suggested sending a double, he said, and the plan went ahead, prompting the reprimand. “In those moments you have to be selfish and do your best when it matters—and that is in the races,” Márquez added.

The new approach is presented as consistent with professional sport more broadly, where athletes are expected to take part in official media, promotional and fan-engagement activities, with defined consequences for repeated non-compliance.