Ecstar Suzuki factory test rider and Japanese MotoGP wild card participant Sylvain Guintoli has been disqualified from FP1 and FP2 for a miscommunication on the engine used by the Frenchman in Motegi.
The Frenchman was notified by the stewards that his opening day had been disqualified after a miscommunication saw the wild card rider run the 2020 GSX-RR engine in his bike.
Rule 2.4.6.2 states that wild card riders must use the engines approved for the current season there can be no changes made. Suzuki had been very open in admitting that they made changes to the engine of the Frenchman’s bike, therefore breaking the rules.
Guintoli’s weekend isn’t over, with the team fitting the 2019 engine back in his bike, allowing him to continue for the weekend, with the team’s gaffe costing them the work from the opening day.
The wild card rider ended the day in 21st position, only ahead of Andrea Iannone and the pit-lane starting Tito Rabat.
