Explanation of MotoGP Engine Restart Rules, Effective This Year

KatadataOTO – The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has officially announced new rules that will apply in MotoGP 2026 and also WSBK.

This season, riders who crash on the track are not allowed to try to restart their bikes from the track or run-off areas.

In MotoGP, it is not an uncommon sight to see a rider fall or be involved in a crash and try to restart their race bike to continue the race.

Indeed, under the previous rules, riders were still allowed to try to restart their bikes in the run-off or gravel areas.

Photo: X @ducaticorse

However, this was deemed to have the potential to cause accidents for other riders and endanger the marshals.

Therefore, the FIM has decided to prohibit riders from starting their bikes from the run-off area.

The regulation changes for MotoGP 2026 have been discussed by the Grand Prix Commission and the SBK Commission and involve all related parties.

If a bike cannot be started due to a crash or technical issue, it must be evacuated to the barrier area.

Riders are still allowed to rejoin and continue the race, but this can only be done at the barrier or trackside barrier, assisted by the on-duty marshals.

Repairs to the bike may be carried out, but only behind a barrier that is safe from the track area while the race is in progress.

According to the FIM, if a bike involved in a crash is still running, the rider can immediately return to the track.

However, if a marshal sees a possibility of severe damage, the rider must stop and is prohibited from rejoining.

“After a crash or technical issue, all bikes that are not running on the track or in the run-off area must be immediately evacuated behind the line of protection by the marshals,” read the official FIM statement, quoted from Crash, on Thursday (15/01).

Photo: Courtesy

The regulation is expected to improve the safety and security of all parties, including the marshals. Other federations are expected to follow this step.

Although it is feared that this may pose its own challenges for the riders, the FIM believes it is the best decision to ensure the safety of the marshals while in the race area.

Besides MotoGP and WSBK, all races involving the FIM are said to be able to implement this regulation.