FIM Stewards reject Sky VR46's Leopard ECU protest

The FIM MotoGP Stewards panel has rejected a protest lodged by the Sky Racing VR46 Moto3 team against the Leopard Racing entry of Jaume Masia.

The protest was made after last Sunday's Emilia Romagna race, which Masia finished in fifth place, on the grounds of a suspected infringement of Article 2.6.3.5 of the Moto3 technical regulations, which covers the official championship ECU.

The exact nature of the alleged infringement was not specified, only that: "The protest was dictated towards the ECU of the #5 machine that in the opinion of the protesting parties was considered not in compliance with the regulations."

"The hearing was held over four days after receiving the protest to allow time for the technical evaluation of the ECU being protested.

"Documentary evidence and supplementary documents were submitted to the MotoGP Stewards panel."

Meanwhile, "The Technical Director provided evidence of an approvals process and how he was satisfied that the ECU complied with the regulations and relevant guidelines."

The final verdict was that: "Upon these grounds, the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel rejects the protest."

The MotoGP Stewards panel consists of Bill Cumbow, Freddie Spencer and Ralph Bohnhorst.

Albert Arenas currently leads the Moto3 world championship, with Masia is eighth. VR46 riders Celestino Vietti and Andrea Migno are fourth and 14th respectively.