At a glance
- MotoGP’s white flag permits riders to change bikes during a race; it does not require them to stop. Race Direction decides when to authorise changes.
- A race declared wet also permits MotoGP machine changes, without riders needing to wait for a subsequent white flag.
- Exchanges take place in pit lane under positioning, crew and safe-release requirements. Riders leaving their machine-change position must give way to approaching riders in pit lane.
- In an uninterrupted race, a machine problem on the grid or at the start permits a separate change: the second bike must cross the timing point at the pit-exit lights by the time the leader completes the first lap.
In this article
MotoGP’s white-flag bike-change rules allow riders to swap motorcycles, leaving each rider to decide whether and when to pit. The white flag itself does not interrupt the race.
When machine changes are permitted
Under the 2026 FIM Grand Prix regulations, updated 13 September, only Race Direction can authorise the white-flag signal. Marshals and other officials display it around the circuit.
A MotoGP race declared wet before the start permits bike changes during the race without a later white flag. When a race starts dry and rain arrives later, white flags authorise changes, explains Race Director Mike Webb in MotoGP’s bike-switching guide of 31 January 2025.
MotoGP calls this “flag-to-flag” racing. A flag-to-flag race can still be interrupted for safety. Webb explains that riders may swap repeatedly once permission applies, even if the rain stops.
The plain white flag differs from the white flag bearing a diagonal red cross. The latter reports rain on that section of track, including rain affecting the surface.
| Signal or circumstance | Meaning for the rider |
|---|---|
| Plain white flag or equivalent signal during the race | Race Direction has authorised machine changes. The rider chooses whether and when to swap. |
| Race declared wet before the start | MotoGP riders may change machines during the race without waiting for a subsequent white flag. |
| White flag with a diagonal red cross | Rain is present on that section of track; this signal does not itself authorise a bike swap. |
| Red flag during the race | The race is being interrupted and riders must return slowly to the pits. |
Sources: the 2026 FIM regulations and MotoGP’s official flag guide.
Related posts
Tyre choices and the rider’s decision
A wet-race or white-flag exchange does not require a change of tyre type: slick-to-slick and rain-to-rain swaps are permitted, as are changes between slicks and rain tyres. The 2026 provisions also permit tyre warmers, tyre changes and machine adjustments in the pits and pit lane in these circumstances.
MotoGP’s bike-switching explanation identifies conditions, tyre feel, race strategy and other riders’ actions as factors in deciding when to change. Teams can advise through physical or dashboard pit boards, but the rider decides when to enter.
Where the exchange happens and who may assist
For a wet-race or white-flag exchange, the rider must enter pit lane with their motorcycle and cross the designated pit-entry timing point. The spare bike may be kept inside the garage, whether or not it has already been used in the race, but the exchange must happen in pit lane.
The 2026 exchange protocols include these requirements:
- The spare bike must occupy the position indicated by officials before the race, and the incoming bike must stop in its indicated position. Riders must not ride behind another rider’s spare machine on the pit-box side.
- No more than five team staff per rider may assist with the exchange. Other team members must remain in the pit box or signalling area. The assisting pit-lane staff must wear helmets approved by the Technical Director.
- The team is responsible for safe release. It must designate one member whose only role is checking incoming traffic and releasing the rider only when safe. The rider leaving the machine-change position must give way to approaching riders in pit lane.
- Teams must ensure their equipment, motorcycles and staff do not impede another team or rider.
Once the chequered flag is shown, riders may no longer enter the track from pit lane. The red light switches on at pit exit.
The separate exception for a problem at the start
In an uninterrupted race, a rider with a machine problem on the grid or at the start has a separate opportunity to change machines. The second bike must cross the timing point at the pit-exit lights by the time the leader passes the finish line at the end of their first lap. This exception concerns a problem at the start, rather than any problem first arising during the opening lap.
For this change, the machine-position requirements do not apply because the rider has not entered pit lane riding the first machine to exchange it. That exemption concerns positioning; it does not remove the crew, helmet or safe-release requirements.
Image credit: Wrong Apex editorial graphics · Original editorial illustration · Modifications: Rendered from original graphic elements; resized and compressed to WebP. · Image source
