The MotoGP's new qualifying rule, aimed at preventing unsportsmanlike conduct, faced its first test at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang. Pedro Acosta became the first rider to be sanctioned under this rule, sparking debate about its practicality and fairness.
The rule prohibits riders from attempting to rejoin the session after crashing within the final three minutes, as it can extend yellow flags and potentially hinder rivals' laps. This was evident in Q1 when Gresini Ducati rookie Fermin Aldeguer tried to pick up his crashed bike, seemingly more for convenience than to rejoin the session.
Acosta, however, successfully rejoined after his crash in Q2 and even pushed for a fast time, finishing fifth on the grid. He was assessed a financial penalty of €2000, rather than a competitive one, which he explained to his peers Brad Binder and Miguel Oliveira. Acosta argued that riders, in the heat of the moment, are unlikely to focus on the time remaining or the marshals' assistance, making the rule challenging to enforce.
The rule was inspired by Alex Rins' crash at Mandalika, where he tried to rejoin despite no time left on the clock. However, Acosta's penalty seems excessive, as a closer analysis revealed his rejoining didn't compromise anyone's Q2 performance. The Race suggests a monetary sanction was sufficient, leaving the rule's effectiveness in question.
