What it could mean - is making sections less severe (to take marks off a relatively select number of riders) - previously at the expense of the of the majority on less competitive/more standard bikes .
I wonder if a less well known rider would have got away with it.
I'm not criticising the observer, as I don't know how his/her view point may have been obscured.
The magnetic sump plug on any Rotax motor I've had has always had metal filings on it at oil change. If you rub the fillings between your fingers and cant really feel anything but paste I wouldnt worry.
