Next year’s upgrade to GPS technology is expected to provide the crucial advancement needed for MotoGP’s crash warning system to become fully functional. This system relies on onboard sensors and software to detect crashes automatically and then signals the timekeeping infrastructure, which informs trailing riders by activating rear ‘rain’ lights on motorcycles within the danger zone.
The alert method using blinking lights aims to deliver quicker and clearer warnings compared to traditional safety signals like yellow flags, trackside panels, and dashboard notifications. Additional warning features are planned as the system continues to develop. Currently, the MotoGP rules allow the organizer to
remotely automatically switch on/off by the organiser’s crash detection/alarm system
the unified rear safety light to improve communication during incidents.
Challenges in Identifying Riders Who Need Alerts
MotoGP’s Director of Technology, Corrado Cecchinelli, identified the last major hurdle: deciding which riders require the crash warning in real time. The system depends heavily on precise location data, which currently remains insufficient.
Once we are confident that we have an accurate and reliable rider location system, we will be able to put the crash warning system in place,
Cecchinelli told Crash.net. He estimates this will happen by 2027, coinciding with a planned
big revolution in our GPS system.
Limitations of Existing GPS Systems on the Track
At present, MotoGP teams cannot use GPS data during races, as it is primarily installed for media coverage and lacks the precision necessary for safety applications. For instance, current GPS cannot consistently differentiate between a bike stopped on the race track and one on a nearby service road. This imprecision risks failing to recognize whether a rider is still within the danger zone moments after a crash.
The crash warning system is ready to be put in place but the management of it… needs more development,
Cecchinelli explained, emphasizing the importance of flawless initial performance.
We want it to be very good from the start.
Technical Obstacles Ahead of Deployment
Two main technical issues must be resolved before activating the full system. The first is minimizing false alarms, which happen when the system detects crashes that aren’t actually occurring. This problem is nearly resolved now. The second challenge—deciding precisely which riders to alert—requires more accurate GPS data than is currently available.
But the current GPS accuracy is not optimal for that,
Cecchinelli noted, adding that although they have conducted extensive testing and have operational crash detection and rear light activation features, the precise rider location data remains the missing piece.
So all the bits are there, except for a precise rider location system.
Expected GPS Improvements and Their Impact
The GPS enhancement scheduled for 2027 will not only improve media content but will also provide teams with access to riders’ GPS data after each session for performance analysis. This rule change will create the foundation required to implement the crash warning system fully and reliably.
In ‘27, we are already planning a big revolution in our GPS system,
explained Cecchinelli. This will deliver the accuracy required to manage warnings efficiently and ensure that alerts are sent only to competitors genuinely at risk.
Beyond Crash Detection: Potential for Broader Safety Applications
While the core focus remains crash detection, the system’s infrastructure could eventually handle other safety scenarios. Cecchinelli illustrated this with the example of a rider experiencing a slow puncture, like Pecco’s incident at Sepang.
In principle, yes. It depends on what you want to do with it. We have a system in place that basically includes a rear warning light that race direction can activate remotely,
he said. The system could automatically detect live tire pressure drops or unusually slow lap times and trigger a warning light as needed. These features are not currently planned but are possibilities for future development once the system is broadly implemented.
Debate Over Early System Deployment Without Full GPS Accuracy
Some have questioned whether basic elements of the crash warning setup could be activated before the GPS upgrade. However, Cecchinelli argues that without precise data, premature use could cause confusion or unnecessary warnings. An accurate system is essential to distinguish genuine hazards from innocuous situations like a slow-moving bike on a service road rather than the track.
We want to have it working extremely well from the beginning,
he stated, noting that other safety measures such as replicated flags on dashboards and trackside screens remain reliable alternatives until the GPS capabilities improve.
Current Status and the Path Forward
Extensive experiments have already demonstrated that remotely activating the rear warning light and detecting crashes via software are functional with a tolerable level of false alarms. Still, achieving the necessary GPS precision is critical to avoid false alerts and to correctly target warnings only to riders who need them.
With the GPS revolution slated for 2027, this crash warning system sits poised to significantly enhance real-time rider safety and management during MotoGP sessions. Its introduction should reduce risks by providing faster, clearer alerts on track hazards and potentially expand into other safety monitoring functions.
