No decision on MotoGP Friday sessions

Friday morning sessions have already been eliminated under the new cost-cutting regulations introduced for 2009, and earlier this month MotoGP rights-holder Carmelo Ezpeleta said he expected the opening practice day to be removed altogether next season, in favour of promotional activities.

However in a press conference to announce the 2010 rules at Jerez today, Ippolito said the Friday format remained up in the air.

"We are studying the new events schedule," he said. "For next year the schedule is now under discussion. We're trying to understand what is better - to continue to have practice on Friday in the afternoon, or not.

"(To have) the same quantity of time - 120 minutes - maybe with some other specification? But we have to decide whether to continue with practice on Friday or not."

Reigning champion Valentino Rossi said yesterday that he would not be in favour of removing Friday practice outright.

"For me it is not a good idea to lose Friday because with just two hours on Saturday it will be nearly impossible to make a good setting for the race," he said.

"Also if we don't test on Friday when we arrive on Saturday (the track) will be dirty for the race with less grip, and this could be dangerous."

While the number of practice sessions for 2010 is yet to be determined, the FIM has approved a new rule limiting each team to five personnel working on each bike during practice.

"Everyone has agreed to have five people touching the machine in the pits during the practice hours," said Ippolito.

Testing cuts have also been finalised, with just eight days of running per year set to take place in 2009 and 2010.