Joan Mir Calls for Clarification on Austria’s Track Limits After Controversial Penalties in MotoGP Sprint

‘I anticipated receiving a long lap penalty’

Joan Mir perplexed by the track limits infractions in Austria: “This is an issue we need to discuss as it’s challenging for us to grasp.”

In the latest Austrian MotoGP Sprint race, 17 competitors were cautioned for exceeding track limits. Subsequently, Joan Mir and Augusto Fernandez were penalized with a long lap for additional violations.

The introduction of an automated sensor-based track limits system has significantly reduced disputes about whether a rider had crossed into the restricted green zones beyond the kerbs.

However, as Mir explains, it can be difficult for a rider to realize when they have just barely crossed onto the green area during intense competition, which increases the chances of them committing the same mistake again.

The Spanish rider mentioned that uncertainty arises when a competitor either misses a braking point or is pushed wide because of another rider's actions.

Cyclists are allowed to make contact with the green area up to three times without reducing their speed before getting an official caution. If they commit two additional violations, they will face a long lap penalty, or a post-race penalty if it occurs on the last lap.

"After the Sprint, Mir mentioned that he believes many people, like himself, are unsure about where they went beyond the track limits today."

"When I noticed the second track boundary, I was confused and wondered why it was there."

"I was aware that I would have to take a long lap because I wasn't sure where I had gone wide… I'm not the only one in this situation."

There was a moment when the 2020 world champion was certain he had come into contact with the green area, and this was because Raul Fernandez had made contact with him

"We need to distinguish the causes for running wide," stated the Repsol Honda rider.

"Take Turn 8, for instance. With our motorcycle, it's simple to ride over the curb and touch the green area, and I believe penalties for that are fair. Similarly, if you go wide at Turn 1 and gain a few tenths of a second, I support penalizing that as well."

"But if another racer passes you, forces you off the track, and you end up on the grass, losing time, you still receive a warning! That doesn’t add up!"

"Alternatively, if we have difficulty stopping the bike, leave, waste time, and then receive this warning!"

"We need to discuss this a bit because it's hard for us to grasp."

In the complete Sunday race, there were just six warnings for exceeding track limits and a single long-lap penalty, which was given to Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo.

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