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Yamaha Sanctioned, Received Penalties after MotoGP Association Investigation

Nov. 6 2020 News By Village Motorsports Media Department

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It's been a whirlwind 24 hours in the MotoGP circuit!

Yamaha Motor Corporation's racing division received sanctions after, only hours earlier, the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association (MSMA) launched an investigation into their M1 engines for an alleged breach of protocol during Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez earlier this summer. In a statement, Yamaha calls this "an internal oversight".
Still no word yet from the MSMA if these penalties are related, though the timing couldn't be more coincidental. The resulting determination ripples through YMC, Monster Energy Yamaha and Petronas Yamaha SRT, all receiving some level of World Championship Constructor points withdrawn.

The official MotoGP news website reports the following deductions for each team affiliated:

...Yamaha Motor Company have had 50 World Championship Constructor points withdrawn... Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP have had 20 World Championship Team points withdrawn... Petronas Yamaha SRT have had 37 World Championship Team points withdrawn.

That brings current standings to the following ranks, with three rounds remaining:

CONSTRUCTOR CHAMPIONSHIP:
Ducati - 171
Suzuki - 163
Yamaha - 158
KTM - 143
Honda - 117
Aprilia - 36

TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP:
Team Suzuki Ecstar - 242
Petronas Yamaha SRT - 198
Ducati Team - 180
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing - 157
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP - 156
Pramac Racing - 128


Riders for the Yamaha teams will not receive any sanctions as a result of this announcement. Valentino Rossi (#46, Monster Energy Yamaha) who had been absent from the Gran Premio de Europa in Valencia, has tested negative for COVID-19 and will return for the next session, continuing this weekend. This ought to be excellent news for Yamaha!

More to come as this story breaks!

Photo courtesy of MotoGP.