In an attempt to cut costs in the massively expensive MotoGP series, the Grand Prix commission has today scrapped Friday morning practice for all classes, and banned electronic or hydraulic launch control and electronic suspension systems.
On top of that, Saturday practice and qualifying sessions have been reduced by 15 minutes to 45 in length and from the Czech GP onwards, riders will be limited to a using a maximum of five engines for the rest of the season's eight races. Besides day-to-day maintenance, parts are not allowed to be altered/
The moves were ratified by the commission during a meeting at the FIM's headquarters in Geneva this morning.
The commission has also banned the use of ceramic brakes but two post-race tests are allowed after Catalunya and Brno. It was previously thought that all five test sessions would be banned.
Weekend schedule is as follows (times are local):
Friday
13:05-13:45
125cc
Free Practice 1
14:05-14:50
MotoGP
Free Practice 1
15:05-15:50
250cc
Free Practice 1
Saturday
09:05 - 09:45
125cc
Free Practice 2
10:05 - 10:50
MotoGP
Free Practice 2
11:05 - 11:50
250cc
Free Practice 2
13:05 - 13:45
125cc
Qualifying Practice
14:05 - 14:50
MotoGP
Qualifying Practice
15:05 - 15:50
250cc
Qualifying Practice
Sunday
08:40 - 09:00
125cc
Warm Up
09:10 - 09:30
250cc
Warm Up
09:40 - 10:00
MotoGP
Warm Up
11:00
125cc
Race
12:15
250cc
Race
14:00
MotoGP
Race
