MotoGP™ Safety Features Explained: How Riders Stay Safe in Grand Prix Racing

Discover how MotoGP™ safety features keep riders secure with cutting-edge protective gear, bike safety technology, track measures and strict safety protocols. Dive into the world of MotoGP™ safety now!

The safety of the riders and those working at trackside in MotoGP™ is of paramount importance in the World Championship. With the riders pushing their elite prototype machinery to the very limits and regularly reaching speeds in excess of 360 km/h there is risk involved in the most exciting sport on earth.

Why is safety crucial in MotoGP™?

It is crucial for the organisers of MotoGP™, along with the participating manufacturers, teams, suppliers, circuit management and the riders themselves, to use MotoGP™ safety features, regulations and protocols to make the sport as safe as possible.

Crashes are not uncommon in Grand Prix racing as the MotoGP™ riders feel for their absolute performance limits on their bikes and on-track battles lead to contacts, clashes and collisions.

The riders must compete safely though and that is partly down to their own behaviour and partly down to the work of the other key players in the sport.

MotoGP™, Race, Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona
MotoGP™, Race, Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona

MotoGP™ protective gear: advanced safety for riders

The protective gear worn by MotoGP™ riders helps to reduce the impact of crashes when they do happen, with high-tech helmets, racing suits, gloves and boots playing a vital role.

MotoGP™ helmets: FIM certification, testing standards & design features

The leading helmet manufacturers in the world provide the MotoGP™ riders with helmets which must have FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) certification and meet the highest safety standards.

In order to be used in MotoGP™, a helmet must be certified by the FIM and pass the FIM’s helmet testing programme, which is called FRHPhe-01.

The testing means a sample of 10 helmets of the specific manufacturer’s model undergoes stringent testing - linear impact, oblique impact and penetration – to ensure they meet the extreme demands of track racing.

The helmets used in MotoGP™ are the best offered by the industry. They comprise a super hard outer shell and a purpose-designed styrofoam inner protection layer of different densities, depending on the position within the helmet. 

Rossi reveals special Mugello helmet
Saturday at the Italian GP saw Valentino Rossi unveil the latest in a long line of Aldo Drudi designed helmets for his home race.
Rossi reveals special Mugello helmet
Saturday at the Italian GP saw Valentino Rossi unveil the latest in a long line of Aldo Drudi designed helmets for his home race.

Inner helmet features ensure ventilation and anti-fog technology is used in the helmets to avoid any visibility issues. Durable, high-quality visors are used to mitigate the effects of flying debris, stones, glare, bright sun and rain.

Racing suits: Airbags, back protection & durable materials

The racing suits used in MotoGP™ are also designed with numerous features to protect the safety of the riders. They are made of a combination of durable leather and synthetic materials, to help reduce risk of injuries when the riders slide across the track surface or into the gravel following a crash.

The riders’ suits also feature built-in airbags and back protection. They are tailored to fit each rider perfectly, to keep protectors for the knees, coccyx, shoulders, back, elbows and forearms in place.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Presentation
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team Presentation

They are designed for comfort in a specific racing position, protecting the rider from the elements and with external knee sliders and elbow sliders offering additional protection.

MotoGP™ boots and gloves: Specialised protection

The boots and inner boots worn by MotoGP™ riders also offer specialised protection. Features include specific ankle and heel protection mechanisms and casings, heat resistant material, harder and softer soles which can be replaced when needed and outer sliders for riders who regularly touch their feet to the track surface in motion.

MotoGP™ riders’ gloves offer specifically strong protection for the palms, knuckles and fingers, whilst remaining aerodynamic and providing great feeling on the throttle and brakes.

Safety features on MotoGP™ bikes

The bikes used in MotoGP™ are highly tuned state-of-the art prototypes which are purpose-built solely for racing with performance, reliability and safety in mind. 

MotoGP™ safety technology features throughout these state-of-the-art racing machines. The quality of the engines, chassis, wheels, swingarms and other components on the bikes are of the highest possible level, therefore inherently enhancing the safety of the bikes.

There are more than numerous sensors on MotoGP™ motorcycles, such as temperature and pressure sensors for oil and water, throttle position sensors, torque output sensors, brake pressure sensors, engine brake sensors, gear lever pressure sensors, lean angle sensors and front and rear wheel speed sensors.

Calibration of these sensors and the data they provide is vital for the right balance of safety and performance of MotoGP™ bikes.

Jorge Martin, Prima Pramac Racing, Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona
Jorge Martin, Prima Pramac Racing, Motul Solidarity Grand Prix of Barcelona

MotoGP™ teams have huge resources and with specific crew members such as vehicle dynamics engineers, engine data analysts and tyre data analysts they work to make their riders as quick and comfortable as possible, whilst also keeping them safe.

Teams combine rider feedback with data input so they can make adjustments for the riders, tweaking elements such as engine brake configuration, chassis and suspension set-up, throttle sensitivity (torque demand), launch control and traction control.

Getting the set-up right helps the riders go as fast as they are able to whilst mitigating the risk of crashes.

Traction control helps prevent wheel spin during acceleration, which assists with stability on track. Anti-wheelie systems such as holeshot and ride-height devices help to prevent uncontrolled wheelies, especially at high speeds, giving the rider greater control.

In the high calibre braking systems used on MotoGP™ bikes, carbon fibre brake pads of differing sizes can be utilised. The varying disk sizes help with the changing demands of the different circuits, which enhances rider control, as do the ABS features in the braking systems.

The tyres in MotoGP™ are provided by Michelin, who have years of experience in racing. The high level of quality control and the precisely specified manufacturing processes of Michelin help to maintain safety and consistency in the tyres provided to MotoGP™ riders at each Grand Prix.

‘Virtual pit boards’ on dashboards on the MotoGP™ bikes also allow the teams and Race Direction to communicate important safety alerts and messages to the riders on track.

MotoGP™ track safety features: run-off areas, air fences and more

Throughout the year at each race weekend on the MotoGP™ calendar the Event Management Committee (which includes the FIM Safety Officer and the FIM Medical Director), the MotoGP™ Race Direction members and the FIM MotoGP™ Stewards Panel keep a close eye on the action on track, enforcing safety through key MotoGP™ regulations.

Meanwhile, MotoGP™ safety commission meetings are hosted on the Friday of each Grand Prix weekend, with the riders voluntarily attending, to debate and discuss key MotoGP™ safety features and matters. Amongst their key concerns are the safety measures in place at MotoGP™ tracks, including:

Run-off areas

Large areas of asphalt and/or gravel outside the limits of the track designed to reduce the impact of crashes. The concept here is that when the riders crash they slide across these areas, gradually slowing down, helping them to avoid other riders and to avoid reaching crash barriers.

Air fences

These are soft crash barriers which are placed at specific points around the track, typically in front of harder walls or objects. Air fences help absorb impact during crashes.

Marshal systems

Marshals at trackside play a pivotal role in maintaining safety in MotoGP™. They observe track conditions, communicate with Race Direction, show the relevant flags when required and respond quickly to crashes to get riders back on their bikes where possible, or out of danger when necessary.

Track surface

The track surfaces of the circuits used in MotoGP™ are also monitored closely by the riders, teams and the Event Management Committee, to ensure they are as uniform as possible and meet the required standard to be safely raced upon at such high speeds. During the event the track surface must be kept as clean as possible and sessions or races are stopped if any dangerous debris is littering the track.

MotoGP™ safety regulations and protocols: Flags, penalties and emergency measures

The governing body of motorcycle racing, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), alongside the organisers and promoters of MotoGP™, Dorna Sports, work with fellow stakeholders to strive for the highest possible standards in terms of MotoGP™ safety features.

The FIM and Dorna are represented in the Grand Prix Commission, in addition to the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) and the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association (MSMA). Together they uphold and update the MotoGP™ regulations, with safety being amongst their most crucial considerations.

Under the rules set out in the FIM World Championship Grand Prix Regulations, MotoGP™ Race Direction oversees every session and race at each Grand Prix to enforce specific protocols which are designed to ensure sporting fairness and enhance rider safety.

Many of the flags used in MotoGP™ - waved by the trackside marshals and shown on the riders’ dashboards – have a primary purpose of maintaining rider safety.

MotoGP™ Rules & Regs: Red Flags after the chequered flag
Mike Webb, MotoGP™ Race Director, discusses the Red Flag laws when riders are on different race laps, and how it affects classification
MotoGP™ Rules & Regs: Red Flags after the chequered flag
Mike Webb, MotoGP™ Race Director, discusses the Red Flag laws when riders are on different race laps, and how it affects classification

Red flags are shown to indicate a race stoppage. Races are stopped (paused or curtailed) for rider safety if there is dangerous debris on track, if a crash impedes the safety of the riders or in particularly adverse weather conditions.

Other flags used in MotoGP™ include:

Flag type

Meaning

White flags

White flags are shown to indicate the presence of rain and that the riders may enter pit lane to swap to a second bike with rain tyres. If the race was already declared wet and the track is drying the riders can switch to bikes on slick tyres.

Yellow flags

Advises the riders of a dangerous situation on the track or at trackside. Under the yellow flags riders are not permitted to overtake other riders.

Black flags

When displayed along with a rider’s number the black flags mean the rider must immediately proceed to their pit box. Essentially they are disqualified and this sanction is partly designed to penalise unsafe riding.

Black flags with orange disk

If the rider is shown the black flags with an orange disk along with their rider number it signifies a technical issue with their bikes which could impact their safety and the safety of others. In this scenario the rider must leave the track as safely and quickly as possible.

 

MotoGP™ riders must follow specific safety protocols whenever they are on track and they know they will be penalised for actions such as deliberate slow riding, repeatedly ignoring a penalty, irresponsible riding or exceeding the pit lane speed limit of 60km/h.

Top level medical facilities are in place at all MotoGP™ circuits, staffed by highly qualified international and local medical teams, to attend to riders and other MotoGP™ paddock professionals in the case of emergencies. At all MotoGP™ races there are safety helicopters present to provide rapid response if necessary.

The MotoGP™ safety car is also present on the sighting lap, warm up lap and the first lap of the race, as well as in specific red flag situations, to inspect the track and monitor the safety of the riders. 

For more information on how MotoGP™ race suits help keep riders safe, check out this Tech Talk video with Simon Crafar on the official MotoGP™ YouTube channel.

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