The daring and controversial move by Marc Márquez during the Jerez Sprint race has led to a rule change in MotoGP. The rider from Cervera, who fell at the final corner and shortcut across the grass to enter pit lane, will no longer be allowed to perform such a maneuver without penalty. Neither he nor any other rider on the grid can repeat it.
The incident dates back to the last Sprint race at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto. With rain threatening five laps from the end, the race was declared flag-to-flag—the first time this happened in a short race. Márquez chose to stay on track, but fate decided he would crash at the most opportune moment and place. He fell at the final corner, the closest to pit lane, just as much of the grid was entering to change bikes. He waited for everyone to pass, without causing danger as per regulations, and cut across the grass to enter the pits.
The move sparked controversy, but the championship initially confirmed he had not broken any rules, as he did not cut important sections of the track for an advantage and entered pit lane according to the published definition of the pit lane entry point at the timing line, which is the entrance with the 60 km/h signs.
However, despite not being penalized at the time, the championship has now decided to address this loophole. Race direction issued a statement clarifying the regulation, noting that what happened cannot occur again starting this weekend at Le Mans (France).
“We remind you that the pit lane entry must be respected. To avoid cutting corners and dangerous riding when entering pit lane, riders cannot ride outside the painted curb area at the pit entry and must stay inside the white line on the right side of the entrance until they pass the 60 km/h sign that marks the speed limit,” the statement reads.
The rule explicitly references the ‘flag-to-flag’ scenario—using the example of what happened at the Spanish Grand Prix. “During races (e.g., in flag-to-flag bike changes), infractions will be penalized. Using the asphalt inside the pit lane, outside the curb, and crossing the white line on the right after the curb will result in an immediate penalty, not counting as a track limit or shortcut,” the note concludes.
