MotoGP: Wildcard rule changes brought in for 2018

New rules have been agreed by MotoGP’s governing body the Grand Prix Commission that may prevent a repeat of KTM’s prolific use of wildcard rides for test rider Mika Kallio in the future, as the series bosses limit a factory’s abilities to run additional machines from 2018 onwards.

Kallio has enjoyed three wildcards so far this season, with a fourth scheduled at the final round of the season in Valencia. That compares to the other manufacturers and their limited number of wildcards, with only Ducati giving Michele Pirro now-traditional outings at Mugello and Misano and with Yamaha rewarding Suzuka 8 Hour winner Kats Nakasuga at his home race in Motegi.

And with KTM making the most of a lack of legislation in the rule book, organisers have stepped in, limiting their entries to three a season. However, KTM will in fact be allowed to run up to six bikes a season should they choose (for now), with double the allocation for them and Aprilia, the series’ newest manufacturers. Under current rules, those concessions will end should either score three thirds, two seconds or a win in dry conditions.

Wildcards will now also be forced to use only three engines for a season, and those engines must match the specifications of the engine sealed by each manufacturer at the start of the season.