Avintia Ducati MotoGP rider Tito Rabat has withdrawn from Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.
Rabat was due to start the race from the pitlane - and with a five-second penalty - after having picked up a penalty for exceeding his season-long allocation of seven engines.
The Spaniard, who was 21st-fastest on Friday, did not take part in Q1 on Saturday.
Now Rabat has decided not to take part in the Motegi race, a choice not only influenced by his penalty but also an injury to his right hand, reportedly picked up in a training crash.
It means the grid for the Japanese GP is reduced to 22 bikes, with Suzuki wildcard Sylvain Guintoli the only additional rider taking part this weekend.
Read Also:
Suzuki: "Hazy" rule to blame for Guintoli exclusionYamaha test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga is absent, having been a permanent presence on the Motegi MotoGP grid from 2012 up until last year.
Tito Rabat, Avintia Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images