MotoGP bosses have changed the rules regarding penalty points for the 2014 season and now any points awarded against riders will remain for calendar year instead of being deleted at the end of a season.

The alterations means that riders who incur points and move towards a total of ten mean they are now at serious risk of being banned for a race. World Champion Marc Marquez was teetering on the bring of a serious punishment with three points in 2013.

The system was introduced last season with riders who accumulate four points being put at the back of the grid for their next race. Seven points means a start from pit-lane, while 10 incurs a ban from the next race.