Ai Ogura Disqualified from Argentina MotoGP for Technical Infringement

Ai Ogura from Trackhouse Racing was disqualified from the Argentina GP for using non-homologated ECU software. Despite a strong recovery in the race, finishing eighth initially, the violation nullified his result. The disqualification allows other riders to advance in the standings, particularly benefiting teammates and competitors.

Ai Ogura, a rookie with Trackhouse Racing in MotoGP, has been disqualified from the Argentina GP due to a “non-homologated software” issue with his bike. Despite a challenging start to the weekend, where he qualified 15th after a crash, Ogura made a commendable recovery in the race, finishing eighth. However, this result was nullified when it was discovered that his bike used non-compliant ECU software, a violation since MotoGP has mandated spec electronics since 2016.

The cause of Ogura’s software infringement remains unclear, marking another instance in 2025 where a rider faces penalties for peculiar technical violations. Previously, at the Thai Grand Prix, Yamaha’s Alex Rins had all practice lap times deleted for using an unapproved “X2 Race Link unit,” which allowed GPS access, a prohibited feature in MotoGP.

Trackhouse Racing retains the option to appeal Ogura’s disqualification; they must do so within 60 minutes of the penalty notification. The team has not yet made an official statement regarding the incident. Following Ogura’s disqualification, other riders move up in rankings, with KTM’s Pedro Acosta rising to eighth, Honda’s Joan Mir to ninth, and Luca Marini entering the top ten.

Additionally, the disqualification benefits Ogura’s teammate Raul Fernandez, who can now claim 15th place in the points standings despite having a difficult race, exacerbated by a collision with Enea Bastianini that resulted in a long lap penalty. Fernandez ultimately finished in 16th position after a challenging afternoon at Termas de Rio Hondo.

Ai Ogura’s disqualification from the Argentina GP due to using non-homologated software highlights the strict compliance regulations in MotoGP. The incident not only impacts Ogura’s standings but also affects the results for other riders. Trackhouse Racing has the right to appeal, reflecting the ongoing complexities in technical regulations in motorsport. Moving forward, the focus will be on how teams ensure compliance with the established electronics standard.

Original Source: www.crash.net