At a glance
- MotoGP normally restarts when the leader’s completed laps are below three-quarters of race distance, rounded down to whole laps. Reaching that count means completion with full points. Race Direction decides whether, when and how often to restart.
- After fewer than three completed leader laps, a completely new race uses the original grid, with applicable pre-race penalties, and runs one lap less than the original distance. If restarting is impossible, the race is cancelled without Championship points.
- If restarting is impossible after three or more leader laps below completion, the result stands and Championship points are awarded. Completed leader laps below the rounded-down 50% threshold of original distance earn half points; counts at or above it earn full points.
In this article
A red-flagged MotoGP Grand Prix normally restarts if the leader’s calculated completed laps fall below three-quarters of the race distance, rounded down to whole laps. Fewer than three completed laps means a completely new race; reaching the three-quarter threshold means the race is deemed completed with full points.
These restart rules cover MotoGP Grand Prix races under the FIM’s 2026 Grand Prix World Championship Regulations, updated 13 September 2026. Race Direction makes the final decision on whether, when and how many times to restart and may reschedule racing as circumstances require.
MotoGP’s official red flag guide explains the safety context: conditions are unsafe to continue. Riders must immediately slow down and return to pit lane.
How completed laps determine the restart
Completed laps refer to the leader, using the calculated interrupted-race results. They are not simply the lap number displayed when the flag appears. Fractional thresholds, including three-quarters and 50%, are rounded down to whole laps before comparison.
“Original distance” means the distance of the first start actually undertaken, which may differ from the published distance, unless Race Direction notifies otherwise. For a restarted race, its completion threshold uses that race’s own distance.
| Leader’s calculated completed laps in the first race | Ordinary outcome | MotoGP restart distance |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than three | First race void; completely new race. If restarting is impossible, cancellation without Championship points. | Original distance minus one lap. |
| At least three, below the rounded-down three-quarter threshold | Restart. If restarting is impossible, the interrupted result stands and Championship points are awarded. Completed leader laps below the rounded-down 50% threshold of original distance earn half points. Counts at or above it earn full points. | Laps needed to complete the first race’s distance, with a five-lap minimum. |
| At or above the rounded-down three-quarter threshold | Race deemed completed, with full Championship points. | No restart required under this branch. |
Source: FIM 2026 interruption and restart provisions, updated 13 September 2026, printed pages 71–79.
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Who can restart and where they start
After fewer than three completed laps, all riders may start again, including those who missed the original sighting or warm-up lap. The original grid applies, together with applicable pre-race penalties.
After at least three laps but below the completion threshold, only classified finishers from the first race may restart. Their finishing order sets the grid. Riders classified one full lap down start from pit lane; those two or more full laps down cannot restart.
Classification requires riders to have been actively competing when the red signal appeared. This includes riding on track or attempting to repair the motorcycle, restart it, rejoin the track or return to pit lane. The motorcycle must be in a condition fit to rejoin the track. The FIM MotoGP Stewards alone judge active status, including machine condition, and their decision cannot be appealed.
Riders must also cross the designated pit-entry timing point with their motorcycle within five minutes of the red signal to be classified. An exemption may be granted in exceptional circumstances.
In both restart cases, motorcycles may be repaired or changed, and refuelling is permitted.
How the interrupted-race order is calculated
Officials establish the interrupted-race classification in four steps:
- Identify the last point where the leader completed a full lap without the red signal being displayed.
- For riders who crossed the finish line on the same lap as the leader before the signal, establish a partial classification at the end of that lap.
- For riders who had not crossed the finish line on the same lap as the leader before the signal, establish a partial classification at the end of the previous lap.
- Combine the two partial classifications using laps and time.
Riders already in pit lane when it closes because of the red signal may be classified using their completed laps and virtual finish-line crossing there. If they have not crossed that virtual line, their last finish-line crossing is used. In these cases, crossing the finish line on track is not required.
How the final result is established after a restart
This classification rule applies when the first race completed at least three leader laps but remained below the completion threshold. The final classification uses each rider’s position and consolidated number of laps when they cross the finish line at the end of the last part. Riders in pit lane may cross its virtual finish line.
When the restart procedure begins
The restart should proceed as quickly as track conditions allow. After riders return to the pits, the Race Director announces when the new start procedure will begin. Conditions permitting, it should begin within ten minutes of the initial red signal. This timing concerns the beginning of the start procedure; racing is not guaranteed to resume within ten minutes.
The first-race results must be available to teams before the second part starts. The Quick Start Procedure applies unless Race Direction informs them otherwise.
Which penalties apply again
Original start-position penalties count as served when racing restarts after at least three completed leader laps but below the completion threshold. Other penalties imposed before the race count as served if completed in the first part; otherwise, they carry forward to the restart.
Pre-race penalties apply again when the first race is void after fewer than three completed leader laps, because the replacement is a completely new race.
Penalties for offences committed during that void first race normally do not carry forward. However, the Stewards may specifically designate a penalty to be served in the restart, including for dangerous or irresponsible riding.
What happens after another red flag
Here, Race 1 means the first race and Race 2 means the restarted race. If the leader completes at least three-quarters of Race 2’s distance, rounded down to whole laps, before another interruption, a result is declared with full points.
Below that threshold, the outcome depends on how many laps counted in Race 1. The following outcomes apply if there is no further restart.
If Race 1 completed fewer than three laps
- Race 2 completes fewer than three laps: the race is cancelled without Championship points.
- Race 2 completes at least three laps but remains below its completion threshold: Race 2 supplies the result. Its completed leader laps earn half points below the rounded-down halfway threshold of original distance, or full points at or above it.
If Race 1 completed at least three laps but remained below its completion threshold
- Race 2 completes at least three laps but remains below its own completion threshold: Race 2 supplies the result. The combined leader laps from Race 1 and Race 2 earn half points below the rounded-down halfway threshold of original distance, or full points at or above it.
- Race 2 completes fewer than three laps: Race 2 is void and Race 1’s result stands. Race 1’s completed leader laps earn half points below the rounded-down halfway threshold of original distance, or full points at or above it.
Race Direction may authorise a third start in exceptional circumstances of force majeure. However, if Race 1 completed at least three laps and Race 2 at least five, a result is declared and no further restart is possible.
Image credit: Wrong Apex editorial graphics · Original editorial illustration · Modifications: Rendered from original graphic elements; resized and compressed to WebP. · Image source
