MotoGP

ELF is the brand of lubricants of champions and motorcycle lovers.

ELF has been involved in motorcycle racing for more than 30 years. Competition is one of the parts of ELF’s DNA. Since 1974 and Phil Read’s world title in the 500 cc category followed by the Group’s first partnership with Honda in the top category in 1984, ELF has established its success. ELF as an indispensable brand in motorcycle racing lubricants.

Racing has always been an indispensable field of experimentation in the areas of performance, reliability and mastery of consumption. In fact, the same researchers formulate the products for racing and for the ELF Moto range.

About MotoGP

MotoGP is the most prestigious world championship for motorcycles. The manufacturers enter high-tech prototypes for it entrusted to the best riders in the world. The races for the Moto2 and Moto3 championships, the feeder categories for MotoGP, are held as curtain raisers to the top category.

The world championships, which are real high technology laboratories for performance, reliability and mastery of consumption, enable ELF in partnership with ambitious teams to formulate and develop lubricants that are then made available across the range of products aimed at all users of two-wheelers.

History of MotoGP

MotoGP was created in 1949 by the FIM (Fédération Internationale Motocycliste) and it was the very first motor sport world championship. The races take place on circuits and every year it attracts the best riders on prototypes designed and developed by motorcycle manufacturers.

In 2002 in the top category, the 500cc 2-stroke bikes were replaced by 900 cc 4 strokes. In 2007, cubic capacity was reduced to 800cc before being increased to 1000 cc in 2012 (4-cylinder engine obligatory).

That same year, in order to attract more entrants and reduce development costs, private teams were allowed to enter motorcycles powered by series production engines: the Claiming Rules Teams (CRT).

In 2014, this category was renamed Open in contrast to Factory, which is the designation of the works machines entered by the official teams. Nevertheless, some private teams run works bikes due to agreements with the makes.

Grand Prix

A grand prix takes place over three days: the first two are devoted to practice and qualifying for each category while the third is reserved for races.

Free practice and qualifying

In MotoGP three 45-minute free practice sessions are held (Friday morning and afternoon and Saturday morning). These are followed by a fourth free session which the teams use to prepare for qualifying.

The combined classification of the first three practice session is split up into two: riders outside the top 10 take part in the first qualifying session (QP1) which decides the grid positions from 13th to last place. The two fastest riders in QP1 join the top 10 in free practice for the second qualifying session (QP2), which decides the first 12 places on the grid with three riders per row.

Races

The race distance varies between 95 and 130 km and it generally lasts between 40 and 45 minutes. The number of laps of the circuit is fixed. There is a warm-up session before each race so that the teams and riders can make final adjustments. MotoGP races take place on either a wet or a dry track. If no board is shown on the grid to indicate the status of the race it is considered a dry race. If the weather conditions change and Race Control has to modify the status once the start has been given, the track marshals will wave white flags telling the riders that they can pit to change motorcycles to take advantage of more suitable tyres.