MotoGP wild-cards return for 2021 world championship

Cal Crutchlow and any other factory MotoGP test riders will be able to race as wild-cards during the 2021 season.

Wild-cards were banned for 2020 as part of the sport's Covid-19 restrictions - scuppering the plans of Crutchlow's predecessor Jorge Lorenzo for a Barcelona race outing with Yamaha - but will return for 2021, "with a maximum of two per class at each event. However, as was previously the case for Moto2 wild cards, Moto3 wild card entries will only be considered when operated by an existing Moto3 team."

Suzuki, Yamaha, Ducati, KTM and Honda are allowed a maximum of three MotoGP wild-cards per season, while Aprilia is permitted six wild-cards as part of the Concessions package.

The stricter yellow flag rules have also been officially incorporated into the sporting regulations...

Sporting Regulations

EFFECTIVE SEASON 2021

YELLOW FLAGS
Riders who see a yellow flag displayed are required to slow down to protect fallen riders and attending marshals. The Commission introduced into the regulations the current policy already being implemented by Race Direction. Riders passing a yellow flag in a practice session will have the time for that lap cancelled.

SPEEDING IN PIT LANE
The penalty for speeding in pit lane during a race has been changed to a 2 x long lap penalty. The previous penalty was a ride through. (The FIM Stewards retain the right to impose further or different penalties, for example for excessively high speed).

SECURITY DEPOSITS FOR PROTESTS AND APPEALS
The regulations have been amended to formalise current practice. Any person or body making a protest or appeal will always have their security deposit returned in the event that the protest or appeal is successful. (Note: It is also current practice that any security deposits that are forfeited go to a fund administered by the FIM for eventual use for good causes).

WILD CARD ENTRIES
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, wild card entries were cancelled in 2020. For 2021 wild cards will be permitted in all classes with a maximum of two per class at each event. However, as was previously the case for Moto2 wild cards, Moto3 wild card entries will only be considered when operated by an existing Moto3 team.