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MotoGP riders have voiced strong opposition to plans that will see them hit with financial penalties if they fail to meet mandatory minimum time requirements for fan engagements during race weekends.
During the Indonesian Grand Prix, teams were formally notified that competitors face a €5,000 fine for failing to fulfill their promotional duties.
Among the obligations is the Sunday morning 'Hero Walk', where riders are expected to spend 20 minutes signing autographs and posing for photos with fans. At the Mandalika circuit, the session was held under grueling conditions with temperatures soaring past 30°C, and the absence of several leading riders looks set to trigger the first sanctions.
Under the revised rules, any rider failing to spend at least 10 minutes at the Hero Walk will be fined. Repeated or persistent infractions will bring heavier financial penalties and could even escalate to sporting sanctions, such as grid drops or championship point deductions.
2021 World Champion Fabio Quartararo opted for a diplomatic stance to steer clear of trouble:
"I don't want to comment on the matter to avoid getting into trouble. If you were in the riders' shoes, would you support something like this?"
KTM's Pedro Acosta was far more vocal in his criticism of the new policy:
"I completely disagree. In moments like these, the championship organizers don't realize the physical toll on the riders. I fully support Marc Marquez's decision to skip the karting event in Japan and send a replacement because he's fighting for something much bigger. I understand we're sometimes in a rush and that can disappoint people, but if you've suffered a heavy crash and have to choose between recovery and signing autographs, your health naturally comes first. A balance has to be found. Deducting points or giving grid penalties for missing a promotional event is utterly ridiculous."
MotoGP officials maintained that the rule had been in development for weeks and was not a direct response to Marquez skipping the karting event in Japan. The eight-time world champion also shared his thoughts on the situation:
"As riders, we're the first to want the sport to grow and attract a wider audience. However, I think there are other ways to achieve that without putting such immense pressure on us. The physical demands are extreme, and not just during the track sessions. Here, for instance, you finish the warm-up in intense heat, have a brief team debrief, and immediately have to stand in the blazing sun for another twenty minutes. We want to contribute, but there must be limits. Ultimately, we don't make the decisions, so we'll adapt."
Gresini's Alex Marquez also highlighted the grueling demands of the current calendar:
"It's a really tough situation. If you don't show up or fail to stay for at least ten minutes, you get a €5,000 fine. The workload is becoming excessive. We have more races and more events, and our energy is wearing thin. Right now, we're racing in extreme heat that demands everything from us. Today, we spent 45 minutes with a heart rate of 190 bpm, yet nobody seems to consider our side of the story."
Enea Bastianini admitted he only found out about the new mandate after Sunday's race:
"To be honest, no one had told me. But if they're going to fine us €5,000, I guess we'd better attend. With things heading this way, it might be time to think about creating a riders' association, similar to the organization in Formula 1."
Yamaha veteran Alex Rins also questioned the strict new guidelines:
"It's too much. After races like this, we're completely exhausted. I'm not saying we shouldn't make time for the fans, but there needs to be respect for our physical condition as well. It's clear that the fans support us and we make a living thanks to them, so we must be grateful. However, events like these should be organized differently—perhaps indoors."
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