2017 MotoGP World Championship explained
The 2017 FIM MotoGP World Championship was the premier class of the 69th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.
The 2017 season saw the début of the KTM RC16, which was previously used by Red Bull KTM Factory Racing at the 2016 Valencian Grand Prix ahead of a full season début.
Season summary
Marc Márquez started the season as defending World Champion, having secured his fifth overall title at the 2016 Japanese motorcycle Grand Prix with three races remaining.
Whilst Yamaha's new rider Maverick Viñales started the season off with two consecutive victories, the following spring season proved to be unpredictable with four different winners in as many races, following the trend from 2016. Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso then took his first dry-track MotoGP win at Mugello before repeating the feat the following week in Barcelona. With Viñales not finishing the race at Assen, this allowed Dovizioso to lead the championship by four points after eight races, becoming the first Ducati rider to lead the championship since Casey Stoner in . Márquez took the championship lead after winning the German Grand Prix. He held the championship lead until the British Grand Prix, where Dovizioso regained the lead after Márquez's engine blew up late in the race. Márquez bounced back immediately to take consecutive victories in the next two rounds to reestablish himself as championship leader. Over the following three races, Dovizioso claimed two more wins to Márquez's one, but a poor result in Australia for the Ducati rider meant that Márquez's points lead remained intact.
Going into the final round in Valencia Márquez topped the standings, 21 points ahead of Dovizioso, with both riders winning six races apiece. Viñales was third, 56 points behind Márquez. Therefore, Márquez needed to finish 11th or higher to guarantee a championship, whereas Dovizioso was forced under all circumstances to win in Valencia.
Márquez was on pole in Valencia, and Dovizioso started 9th. After Márquez saved a high-speed potential crash into turn 1,[1] he dropped back behind Dovizioso. The title chances of Dovizioso ended when he crashed with five laps of the race remaining, losing the hope in taking the championship. Meanwhile, Márquez finished third behind Dani Pedrosa and the season's top rookie and independent rider Johann Zarco. Márquez won his sixth title and fourth MotoGP title overall.
Calendar
The following Grands Prix took place in 2017:[2]
Round | Date | Grand Prix | Circuit |
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1 | 26 March ‡ | Grand Prix of Qatar | Losail International Circuit, Lusail |
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2 | 9 April | Gran Premio Motul de la República Argentina | |
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3 | 23 April | Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas | Circuit of the Americas, Austin |
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4 | 7 May | Gran Premio Red Bull de España | Circuito de Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera |
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5 | 21 May | HJC Helmets Grand Prix de France | Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans |
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6 | 4 June | Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley | Mugello Circuit, Scarperia e San Piero |
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7 | 11 June | Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló |
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8 | 25 June | Motul TT Assen | TT Circuit Assen, Assen |
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9 | 2 July | GoPro Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland | Sachsenring, Hohenstein-Ernstthal |
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10 | 6 August | Monster Energy Grand Prix České republiky | Brno Circuit, Brno |
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11 | 13 August | NeroGiardini Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich | Red Bull Ring, Spielberg |
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12 | 27 August | Octo British Grand Prix | Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone |
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13 | | | Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, Misano Adriatico |
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14 | 24 September | Gran Premio Movistar de Aragón | MotorLand Aragón, Alcañiz |
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15 | 15 October | Motul Grand Prix of Japan | Twin Ring Motegi, Motegi |
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16 | 22 October | Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix | Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Phillip Island |
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17 | 29 October | Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix | Sepang International Circuit, Sepang |
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18 | 12 November | Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana | Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Valencia | |
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‡ = Night race
Calendar changes
- The Austrian and Czech Republic Grand Prix swapped places, with the Czech Republic hosting the tenth round, while Austria hosts the eleventh round.
- The British Grand Prix was scheduled to move from Silverstone to the new Circuit of Wales, but construction on the new track had not commenced.[3] The two circuits reached a deal which would see Silverstone continue to host the British Grand Prix in 2017, with an option to host the 2018 race.[4]
Teams and riders
| Key |
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Regular rider | Wildcard rider | | |
| |
All the bikes used Michelin tyres.
Team changes
Rider changes
Regulation changes
Technical regulations
- Winglets, additional aerodynamic aids first introduced in 1999, will be banned from 2017 following repeated concerns about their safety.[34]
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 is allowed to select a gear.[35]
Results and standings
Grands Prix
Riders' standings
- Scoring systemPoints were awarded to the top fifteen finishers. A rider had to finish the race to earn points.
Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th | 12th | 13th | 14th | 15th |
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Points | 25 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |
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| Bold – Pole Italics – Fastest Lap Light blue – Rookie | |
Constructors' standings
Each constructor received the same number of points as their best placed rider in each race.
Teams' standings
The teams' standings were based on results obtained by regular and substitute riders; wild-card entries were ineligible.
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: 22 June 2018. Marquez' save of the century: sliding at 153 km/h. 2 July 2018. Dorna Sports.
- News: 2017 MotoGP calendar confirmed. 23 January 2017. 7 February 2017. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- Web site: 2016 Octo British Grand Prix MotoGP. British Racing Drivers' Club. 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.. 29 August 2016. Silverstone Circuit.
- News: Silverstone to keep MotoGP in 2017, with option for 2018. 4 September 2016. 12 September 2016. Motorsport.com. Motorsport.com. 3 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170803214509/https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/silverstone-to-keep-motogp-in-2017-with-option-for-2018-815748/. dead.
- News: 2017 MotoGP provisional entry list. 9 November 2016. 9 November 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Aleix Espargaro moves to Aprilia for 2017 and 2018. 26 June 2016. 26 June 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Andrea Dovizioso confirmed with Ducati for 2017 and 2018. 18 April 2016. 18 April 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Lorenzo set to take on new challenge with Ducati. 17 May 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Ducati tester Pirro gets Mugello MotoGP wildcard. Jamie. Klein. 31 May 2017. 2 June 2017. Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. 17 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180617015306/https://www.motorsport.com/motogp/news/ducati-tester-pirro-gets-mugello-motogp-wildcard-912836/. dead.
- News: Baz and Barbera remain with Avintia for 2017. 14 August 2016. 14 August 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Aspar Team and Álvaro Bautista to reunite in 2017. 17 August 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Abraham joins Bautista at Aspar for 2017. 18 October 2016. 18 October 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: HRC renew with Dani Pedrosa until end of 2018. 16 May 2016. 16 May 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Honda Racing Corporation renew with Marc Marquez through 2018. 2 June 2016. 2 June 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Crutchlow to stay with LCR Honda for 2017. 23 June 2016. 23 June 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Aoyama to replace Miller at Motegi. 6 October 2017. 14 October 2017. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: KTM signs Bradley Smith as MotoGP factory rider. 20 March 2016. 20 March 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Pol Espargaro to join KTM's MotoGP efforts. 2 June 2016. 2 June 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: KTM to add third MotoGP bike for mid-season grands prix. Mitchell. Adam. 6 June 2017. 6 June 2017. Autosport. Motorsport Network. The Austrian newcomer will field test rider Mika Kallio as a wildcard at the Sachsenring on July 2, and its home race at the Red Bull Ring on August 13..
- News: Andrea Iannone joins Suzuki for 2017 and 2018. 19 May 2016. 19 May 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Rins moves to MotoGP with Suzuki for 2017 and 2018. 20 June 2016. 20 June 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Suzuki MotoGP team calls up test rider Tsuda to replace Rins. Jamie. Klein. 27 April 2017. 27 April 2017. Autosport. Motorsport Network.
- News: Suzuki calls up Sylvain Guintoli to replace Rins from Le Mans. Mitchell. Adam. 4 May 2017. 4 May 2017. Autosport. Motorsport Network.
- News: Yamaha confirm Maverick Viñales for 2017 and 2018 season. 19 May 2016. 19 May 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Rossi & Yamaha confirm 2-year contract extension. 19 March 2016. 19 May 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- Web site: Motul Grand Prix of Japan – MotoGP Entry List. 12 October 2017. 14 October 2017. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Zarco set to move to MotoGP with Tech3. 14 July 2016. 14 July 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Tech3 to join forces with German star Jonas Folger. 5 May 2016. 5 May 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Nozane to replace Folger at Motegi. 12 October 2017. 14 October 2017. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Broc Parkes replaces Folger for Phillip Island. 16 October 2017. 16 October 2017. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: KTM's Beirer confirms 2017 MotoGP plan. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports. 17 September 2014. 17 September 2014.
- News: Stefan Bradl confirms MotoGP exit. 26 July 2016. 29 July 2016. Crash.net. Crash Media Group.
- News: Eugene Laverty: Why I'm leaving MotoGP. 24 August 2016. 24 August 2016. Crash.net. Crash Media Group.
- News: MotoGP to ban winglets from 2017 onwards. 26 June 2016. 12 September 2016. SpeedCafe.com. SpeedCafe.com.
- News: Decision of the Grand Prix Commission in Brno. 21 August 2016. 12 September 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Qatar secures 10-year MotoGP contract. 14 June 2015. 14 June 2015. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Termas de Rio Hondo extends Argentina GP contract. 4 April 2016. 4 April 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Dorna signs 10-year deal with new Texas circuit. 23 September 2016. vroommagazine.com.
- News: French Grand Prix contract extended to 2021. 17 May 2014. 17 May 2014. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to host MotoGP until 2021. 9 November 2016. 9 November 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Assen to host MotoGP until 2026. 25 June 2016. 23 September 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: MotoGP to stay at the Sachsenring until 2021. 12 August 2016. 12 August 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Dorna extends contract with Brno until 2020. 12 January 2016. 12 January 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Dorna Sports and Circuit of Wales sign historic MotoGP agreement. 13 August 2014. 13 August 2014. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: MotoGP at MotorLand Aragon until 2021. 21 September 2016. 21 September 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Motegi to host MotoGP until at least 2018. 12 October 2012. 12 October 2012. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Phillip Island secures long-term MotoGP, WSBK future. 10 April 2016. 10 April 2016. Crash.net. Crash Media Group.
- News: MotoGP at Sepang International Circuit until 2021. 29 October 2016. 31 October 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.
- News: Valencia to host MotoGP until 2021. 20 September 2016. 20 September 2016. MotoGP.com. Dorna Sports.