2017 MotoGP season

2017 F.I.M. Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
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The 2017 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season is the 69th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season. Marc Márquez will start the season as defending World Champion, having secured his fifth overall title at the 2016 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix with three races remaining.

Teams and riders

Constructor Team Motorcycle No. Rider Aprilia Aprilia Racing Team Gresini       Aprilia RS-GP 22 Sam Lowes[1] 41 Aleix Espargaró[2] Ducati Ducati Team Ducati Desmosedici GP17 04 Andrea Dovizioso[3] 99 Jorge Lorenzo[4] Octo Pramac Yakhnich Ducati Desmosedici GP17 9 Danilo Petrucci[1] Ducati Desmosedici GP16 45 Scott Redding[1] Avintia Racing Ducati Desmosedici GP16 8 Héctor Barberá[5] Ducati Desmosedici GP15 76 Loris Baz[5] Pull & Bear Aspar Team Ducati Desmosedici GP15 17 Karel Abraham[6] Ducati Desmosedici GP16[7] 19 Álvaro Bautista[8] Honda Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS       Honda RC213V 43 Jack Miller[1] 53 Esteve Rabat[1] Repsol Honda Team 26 Dani Pedrosa[9] 93 Marc Márquez[10] Honda LCR 35 Cal Crutchlow[11] KTM Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM RC16 38 Bradley Smith[12] 44 Pol Espargaró[13] Suzuki Team Suzuki Ecstar       Suzuki GSX-RR 29 Andrea Iannone[14] 42 Álex Rins[15] Yamaha Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1 5 Johann Zarco[16] 94 Jonas Folger[17] Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 25 Maverick Viñales[18] 46 Valentino Rossi[19]

Key Regular rider Wildcard rider Replacement rider

Team changes

• KTM will join the series with a factory-supported team for the first time.^[20]

Rider changes

• Jorge Lorenzo will join Ducati, after leaving Movistar Yamaha MotoGP. Lorenzo's move to Ducati ends his nine-year relationship with Yamaha.
• Maverick Viñales will join Yamaha, after leaving Team Suzuki Ecstar.
• Bradley Smith and Pol Espargaró will leave Tech 3 Yamaha to join the newly formed KTM factory team for the 2017 season.
• Álex Rins will move up to the premier class, making his MotoGP début with Team Suzuki Ecstar. He will be partnered by Andrea Iannone, who left Ducati.
• Sam Lowes will move up to the premier class, making his MotoGP début with Aprilia Racing Team Gresini. He will be partnered by Aleix Espargaró, who left Suzuki to join the team.
• Jonas Folger and Johann Zarco, the 2015 and 2016 Moto2 World Champion, will move up to the premier class, with both riders making their MotoGP début with Monster Yamaha Tech 3.
• Stefan Bradl and Eugene Laverty will leave MotoGP for the Superbike World Championship.^[21][22]
• Álvaro Bautista will leave Aprilia Racing Team Gresini to return to Aspar Team. Bautista previously competed with Aspar Team between the 2006 125cc and the 2009 250cc seasons.
• Karel Abraham will return to MotoGP with Aspar Team after previously competing in the Superbike World Championship in the 2016 season.
• Yonny Hernández will return to Moto2, after being left without motorcycle at MotoGP.

Calendar

Round	Date	Grand Prix	Circuit
1	26 March	Grand Prix of Qatar[23]	Losail International Circuit, Lusail
2	9 April	Gran Premio de la República Argentina[24]	Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo, Santiago del Estero
3	23 April	Grand Prix of the Americas[25]	Circuit of the Americas, Austin
4	7 May	Gran Premio de España	Circuito de Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera
5	21 May	Grand Prix de France[26]	Circuit Bugatti, Le Mans
6	4 June	Gran Premio d'Italia	Mugello Circuit, Scarperia
7	11 June	Gran Premi de Catalunya[27]	Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló
8	25 June	Dutch TT[28]	TT Circuit Assen, Assen
9	16 July	Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland[29]	Sachsenring, Hohenstein-Ernstthal
10	6 August	Grand Prix České republiky[30]	Automotodrom Brno, Brno
11	13 August	Grand Prix von Österreich	Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
12	27 August	Octo British Grand Prix*[31]	Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone[32]
13	10 September	Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini[33]	Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Misano Adriatico
14	24 September	Gran Premio de Aragón[34]	Motorland Aragón, Alcañiz
15	15 October	Grand Prix of Japan[35]	Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi
16	22 October	Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix[36]	Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Phillip Island
17	29 October	Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix[37]	Sepang International Circuit, Selangor
18	12 November	Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana[38]	Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia

Notes

* Subject to confirmation

Calendar changes

• The British Grand Prix was scheduled to move from Silverstone to the new Circuit of Wales, but construction on the new track has not commenced.^[39] The two circuits reached a deal that will see Silverstone continue to host the British Grand Prix in 2017, with an option to host the 2018 race.^[32]

Regulation changes

Technical regulations

• Winglets, additional aerodynamic aids first introduced in 1999, will be banned from 2017 following repeated concerns about their safety.^[40]

Sporting regulations

• A rider may be assisted by no more than four mechanics while changing bikes during a pit stop, all of whom must wear approved helmets. A mechanic may hold in the bike's clutch lever, but only the rider can select a gear.^[41]

Notes

References

1. "2017 MotoGP™ provisional entry list". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
2. "Aleix Espargaro moves to Aprilia for 2017 and 2018". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
3. "Andrea Dovizioso confirmed with Ducati for 2017 and 2018". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
4. "Lorenzo set to take on new challenge with Ducati". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
5. "Baz and Barbera remain with Avintia for 2017". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
6. "Abraham joins Bautista at Aspar for 2017". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
7. "Aspar Team and Álvaro Bautista to reunite in 2017". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
8. "Aspar Team and Álvaro Bautista to reunite in 2017". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
9. "HRC renew with Dani Pedrosa until end of 2018". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
10. "Honda Racing Corporation renew with Marc Marquez through 2018". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
11. "Crutchlow to stay with LCR Honda for 2017". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
12. "KTM signs Bradley Smith as MotoGP™ factory rider". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 20 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
13. "Pol Espargaro to join KTM's MotoGP™ efforts". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
14. "Andrea Iannone joins Suzuki for 2017 and 2018". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
15. "Rins moves to MotoGP™ with Suzuki for 2017 and 2018". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
16. "Zarco set to move to MotoGP™ with Tech3". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
17. "Tech3 to join forces with German star Jonas Folger". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
18. "Yamaha confirm Maverick Viñales for 2017 and 2018 season". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
19. "Rossi & Yamaha confirm 2-year contract extension". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
20. "KTM's Beirer confirms 2017 MotoGP™ plan". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 17 September 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
21. "Stefan Bradl confirms MotoGP exit". Crash.net. Crash Media Group. 26 July 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
22. "Eugene Laverty: Why I'm leaving MotoGP". Crash.net. Crash Media Group. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
23. "Qatar secures 10-year MotoGP contract". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 14 June 2015. Retrieved 14 June 2015.
24. "Termas de Rio Hondo extends Argentina GP contract". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
25. "Dorna signs 10-year deal with new Texas circuit". vroommagazine.com. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
26. "French Grand Prix contract extended to 2021". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
27. "Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to host MotoGP™ until 2021". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
28. "Assen to host MotoGP™ until 2026". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
29. "MotoGP™ to stay at the Sachsenring until 2021". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2016.
30. "Dorna extends contract with Brno until 2020". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
31. "Dorna Sports and Circuit of Wales sign historic MotoGP™ agreement". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
32. "Silverstone to keep MotoGP in 2017, with option for 2018". Motorsport.com. Motorsport.com. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
33. "Misano to remain on the MotoGP™ calendar until at least 2020". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
34. "MotoGP™ at MotorLand Aragon until 2021". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
35. "Motegi to host MotoGP until at least 2018". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
36. "Phillip Island secures long-term MotoGP, WSBK future". Crash.net. Crash Media Group. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
37. "MotoGP™ at Sepang International Circuit until 2021". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 29 October 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
38. "Valencia to host MotoGP™ until 2021". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
39. "2016 Octo British Grand Prix MotoGP". Silverstone Circuit. British Racing Drivers' Club. Retrieved 29 August 2016. Ahead of the British MotoGP taking place at the purpose-built £375 million South Wales valley venue for the first time in 2018, the Circuit of Wales will promote and run the event at Silverstone.
40. "MotoGP to ban winglets from 2017 onwards". SpeedCafe.com. SpeedCafe.com. 26 June 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
41. "Decision of the Grand Prix Commission in Brno". MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 21 August 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.

External links

• The official website of Grand Prix motorcycle racing