Jorge Martin has escaped a post-race penalty after being placed under investigation for low tyre pressure during Saturday’s season-opening Buriram MotoGP Sprint.
The Aprilia rider finished fifth but was immediately flagged by the FIM Stewards for potentially running below the specified minimum.
In most cases, such investigations result in a costly time penalty – eight seconds in a Sprint and 16 seconds in a Grand Prix.
However, Martin and Aprilia have been cleared of wrongdoing after officials determined the pressure loss was caused by a leaking wheel rim.
“After completing the post-race technical checks, the pressure was correct at the beginning of the race and the loss of pressure during the race was proven to be due to [a] leaking wheel rim,” read a notification from the FIM Stewards.
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“The Technical Director, together with the official tyre supplier determined that no infraction of the regulations occurred.”
The same issue previously allowed Pedro Acosta – winner of Saturday’s race – to keep second place at the 2024 Indonesian Grand Prix following a low-pressure investigation.
The penalty escape provides some good news for the factory Aprilia team after Martin’s team-mate, Marco Bezzecchi, crashed out early from the race lead.
Martin held fourth place for most of the Sprint, but was overtaken by the Trackhouse Aprilia of Ai Ogura with three laps to go.
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