Penalties were handed out to sixteen riders after Moto3 qualifying, including pole sitter Romano Fenati, promoted Scot John McPhee from fourth place to pole position at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

News came down after the day’s events had concluded that sixteen riders were to be punished with a range of different penalties, turning the Moto3 grid on its head.

Riccardo Rossi and Tatsuki Suzuki have been given twelve-position grid penalties. Whilst Andrea Migno had two penalties: his fastest lap in Q2 has been cancelled and he will start from the back of the grid.

Niccolo Antonelli, Tony Arbolino, Aron Canet, Lorenzo Dalla Porta, Romano Fenati, Raul Fernandez, Jakub Kornfeil, Jaume Masia, Ai Ogura, Marcos Ramirez, Ayumu Sasaki, Kaito Toba and Makar Yurchenko have all had their fastest laps in Q2 cancelled.

They were all part of the large group seen coasting on the racing line before starting their flying lap and were considered to be riding slowly in an irresponsible manner.

All of the above means that John McPhee will start the Austrian Grand Prix from pole position after the Scot decided to do his qualifying lap on his own.

McPhee was high in praise for the stewards who are trying everything they can to combat the issue of riders coasting around, waiting for a tow to try.

“It’s nice to see that the organisers are doing their best to clamp down on irresponsible riding during Moto3 sessions, because at times it can be really dangerous,” said McPhee.

“It makes me feel like my decision to do my lap time alone was the right one, and it’s good that we’ve got the pace to be able to, even at a circuit where slipstreaming is key.

“It’s what’s nice to start from pole position and I’m excited to see what we can do from P1 in tomorrow’s race.”