MotoGP tweaks penalty points system to remove interim punishments

Penalty points handed to riders for on-track indiscretions stand for a 12-month period.

If a rider reaches 10 points in that window, they will be excluded from the next event.

That still remains, but penalties of starting the next race at the rear of the grid and then from pitlane when a rider hits four and seven points respectively will no longer apply.

Rossi was penalised three points for his clash with Marc Marquez at Sepang last October, taking his tally to four and sentencing him to start the Valencia race last, as he sought to beat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo to the title.

The change was announced by the Grand Prix Commission following ongoing discussions between the governing body FIM, MotoGP promoter Dorna and the series' manufacturers.

The Commission has also added clauses that "teams and riders must not make statements or issue press releases that are considered to be irresponsible and hence damaging to the championship", but not outlined any possible punishments.

FIM president Vito Ippolito said the public row over the clash between Rossi and Marquez had "poisoned" MotoGP.

Announced by the Commission last month, a new stewards group has also been established to rule on in-race incidents.

Riders will have four days to appeal any penalties handed out by the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel.