ZARCO FORGOT NEW MOTOGP RESTART RULE AND RECEIVED DOUBLE LONG-LAP PENALTY

Johann Zarco has been handed a double long-lap penalty for the Japanese Grand Prix after attempting to restart his motorcycle on track following a crash in Sunday morning’s warm-up at Motegi.

The FIM Stewards said the Frenchman tried to restart the non-running bike at Turn 9, in front of the first line of protection and facing the wrong direction. They judged the move could have endangered Zarco and others, and ruled that it breached Article 1.21.4 of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations.

The penalty follows a safety procedure introduced for 2026. Under the instructions issued to teams and riders, marshals must take any motorcycle that stops running during a track session behind the first line of protection. Repairs and adjustments must also be carried out there, with the rider working alone apart from assistance from marshals. Marshals may help push a bike in the service road so its rider can restart it, but push-starting on the track side of the barrier is prohibited.

Zarco acknowledged the rule, saying: “You cannot restart the bike but I forgot it.” He explained that the warm-up had been extended by ten minutes so riders could compare hard and medium tyres. His plan was to complete two laps, change bikes and try the other option. After he slid, the engine was still running as he picked up the motorcycle, but it stopped when he got it upright. “It was instinct to try and restart it,” he said. “Then I got this double long-lap.”

Zarco was 12th fastest in the extended warm-up session. He also crashed during the 24-lap grand prix, after initially fighting for points and serving the two long-lap penalties. He said he had enjoyed the early battles and was able to overtake, but found it difficult to make progress once he caught Maverick Viñales. “I was feeling quite strong, but when I reached Vinales it was like I had cruise control,” Zarco said, adding that he may have lost grip and that the bike could have become too hot while following closely. He tried to stay near Viñales and make a move at Turn 10, but crashed as he attempted it. “I didn’t expect it. It would have been nice to get some points for this race.”

His sanction is separate from Alex Marquez’s double long-lap penalty: Marquez was penalised for causing a multi-rider crash on the opening lap of Saturday’s Sprint.