Grand Prix motorcycle racing today sees a shake-up of the current technical regulations, with many changes occurring in all the prototypes we see in MotoGP.
The 2027 MotoGP season is set to usher in the biggest technical change in the sport’s modern history.
While the current era offers record-breaking speeds and unprecedented advancements in technology, officials are hitting the reset button to prioritize passenger safety and promote more exciting racing.
As the paddock prepares for continued sustainability and the removal of automated equipment, the following changes will redefine Grand Prix racing while retaining the DNA that makes MotoGP the greatest motorcycle race on the planet.
MotoGP bikes have 850cc engines and 100% sustainable fuels
Although the premier class engine size has remained at 500cc for five decades, the 2027 MotoGP regulations will mark the fourth change since the start of the current millennium.
The top speed of the prototype will be reduced from 1000cc to 850cc in an effort to make the sportier safer and more durable for competitive drivers.
The maximum bore (the inside diameter of the cylinder through which the piston moves) has been reduced from 81mm to 75mm, which limits performance, as well as making the engines more roadworthy.
The fuel that powers the new engines is also changing. Prototypes will now run on 100% sustainable fuels, which in turn will see fuel tank sizes reduced from 22 liters to 20 litres.
Aerodynamics are reduced when MotoGP falls on ‘dirty air’.
As well as the power units, the chassis of each prototype will be completely revised to comply with the new regulations.
Aerodynamic effects are controlled by reducing the width of the front fairing by 50mm, as well as the nose which is pushed back by 50mm.
The main idea behind the changes is to reduce the effect of the dirty air coming from behind the bikes on the following riders, to encourage close racing.
Rear aerodynamic elements will be part of the homologation process from 2027, and teams will be allowed to update the area periodically to control costs.
To improve safety, all ride height and aperture devices are suspended.
Purists will enjoy ride height and holeshot devices that will be fully suspended from early 2027.
The addition of the equipment will re-introduce the skills of the drivers, and officials hope that the new move will improve safety at the start of the race as well as during any race.
Drivers will be completely dependent on their own clutch control and throttle management to get off to a fast start, while the devices will automatically start the race and rely on existing technology.
MotoGP legend Dani Pedrosa joked that the ban would make the race more predictable After Ducati pioneered the ride-height device in 2018, it’s now two years before their dominance of the sport begins.
Pirelli takes over from Michelin as MotoGP tire supplier.
In the year One of the most high-profile changes coming in 2027 is the tire supplier switch from Michelin rubber to Pirelli.
The French manufacturer It achieved exceptional status in 2016, but Pirelli will take over duties in Moto2 and Moto3 and become the exclusive tire supplier for the premier class next year.
It will be important for teams to design their new chassis around the properties of the Pirelli rubber, and maybe there will be. Marc Marquez expressed concern about the adaptation period.
The change has been suggested to help riders progress through the ranks of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
With all three categories now using the same amount of material, it should help any youngsters who previously had to adapt to MotoGP machinery and face the big challenge of a new tire compound.
Factory and satellite MotoGP teams will have equal status from 2027
The 2027 campaign will see an end to the distinction between factory and satellite outfits, with MotoGP moving to treat each team as an independent franchise similar to the Formula 1 team structure.
This could lead to the once-satellite teams maintaining engine agreement from the factory and developing their own chassis, bringing individual outfits closer in performance than ever before.
The officials hope that the change will have an equal distribution of funds, which will ensure that the satellite teams are as suitable for business as the factory team.
New regulations for MotoGP How are discounts determined?
The concessions tier will be completely reset at the end of 2026, with each team starting the new rules era at Tier B.
After the new system takes effect in 2023, the rankings will be reassessed based on performance midway through the 2027 season.
If a new manufacturer joins the grid, they are automatically relegated to the D category, allowing further testing and engine development to catch up with their remaining rivals on the grid.
