On Monday, the world motorcycle association FIM announced the long-awaited new MotoGP rules, which will come into effect from the 2027 season. This includes, among other things, a reduction in displacement, an aero cut and the complete ban on ride height devices. These changes have been the subject of much conversation in recent days. “The only improvement compared to the current rules is the ban on ride and holeshot devices. Nothing else will benefit the sport, only the engineers will benefit,” said ex-MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner on behalf of him. There was also a heated discussion in the current MotoGP driver field on media Thursday in Le Mans.
The opinions of the 22 regular drivers in 2024 differed widely. “Restricting the aero won’t change anything,” believes MotoGP super rookie Pedro Acosta and receives support from Fabio Quartararo: “Removing the devices is great. But I don’t think that much will change in the area of aero Not much will happen to the engine either.” Alex Marquez agrees: “I would have expected more restrictions on the aerodynamics side.” Trackhouse pilot Miguel Oliveira is also skeptical: “The aero limitations don’t limit much. So you’ll still have a lot of downforce and everything. The switch to 850cc is also, let’s say, not my favorite change.”
MotoGP stars believe: The rider will make a difference again in the future!
On the other side of the field, Oliveira’s ex-teammate Brad Binder cheered: “I think it will be cool – a new start for everyone. The bikes will change completely, that’s pretty exciting.” MotoGP superstar Marc Marquez was also very pleased on Thursday and spoke about another aspect: “The fact that we have more restrictions on the technical side is good for us riders. With fewer technical additions to the motorcycle, the rider can make a bigger difference. That The driver’s value is increasing again, I like that.” World Championship rival Jorge Martin agrees: “With all the devices and technical stuff we have at the moment, bad riders can close the gap to the good ones. It’s much easier to ride these bikes. With the new bikes, the rider becomes more valuable again and the duels should get better.”
One rider who will most likely no longer be competing in MotoGP in 2027 – at least not as a regular rider – is Aleix Espargaro. The Aprilia captain was the only still active pilot who drove at the last 800cc times in the premier class between 2007 and 2011. He can understand the reduction in engine capacity: “We drive on the same routes as Doohan and Criville at 500cc times. Meanwhile but even the Moto3 at 500ccm level. That means that the tracks are no longer sufficiently prepared. We can modify them slightly, but the existing space remains the same [der Motorräder, Anm.] reduce something. The engineers are simply too smart, we have too much technology. We have to counteract this.”
In any case, Espargaro also showed himself to be a fan of the new rules from 2027. “I believe that the show will be better as a result,” he says and explains: “The viewers at home in front of the TV don’t care whether we are 1:31.8 or 1 :33.3 times. That’s only 1.5 seconds. The new bikes will also perform damn well, but at the same time the show will improve.” The 34-year-old Catalan also believes that the aero trimming will “change more than it currently looks.” Honda factory drivers agree with this too Luca Marini too. He even believes that the restrictions in the aero area will increase the performance differences between the individual manufacturers even further: “If you are clever enough and find a way to make positive use of the aerodynamics that are still available, that will give you a big advantage.”
WTF?!? Jack Miller cannot understand the new MotoGP rule at all
Jack Miller, on the other hand, would have liked to completely do without aerodynamic attachments on the motorcycles. The Australian knows the MotoGP machines from the times before today’s aero competition: “It was much more strenuous [diese Bikes zu fahren, Anm.]. You had to control the wheelie a lot more and also be a lot more careful with the power output. In addition, these devices and winglets make the motorcycles ugly – and racing should actually be beautiful. That’s why we should get rid of them.” A statement with which the KTM rider probably speaks to the hearts of many MotoGP fans.
In addition to the ‘too small’ aero clipping, there is also a second factor that Miller cannot understand: the publication of all GPS data after the end of the session. MotoGP itself is primarily hoping to be able to provide fans with a deeper insight into the premier class with graphics and evaluations. Incomprehensible to the Australian. “What the fuck is that supposed to do?” he puzzles and says: “That’s racing. It’s all about gaining an advantage over the competition and not telling them where exactly you’re faster than “It’s all the guesswork that makes the sport so beautiful. I don’t understand how the manufacturers were able to get away with it.”
Without holeshot devices: MotoGP riders become more important again at the start
One thing that was viewed positively by almost all drivers was the abolition of the holeshot devices that are used at the start of the race. “This will help the riders who have better sensitivity,” believes Maverick Vinales and explains: “At the moment you just give it full throttle and see if the bike pushes forward. Without them [die Holeshot-Devices, Anm.] you get a lot more wheelie. You have to adapt your driving style, you can’t go full throttle. That will change the starts a lot and the driver will make a bigger difference.” Joan Mir adds that the “variation of good and bad starts will be much greater in the future,” which should ideally make the starting phase of a race from 2027 even more exciting than which is currently the case anyway.
Now you are asked: What are your opinions on the new MotoGP regulations? Tell us in the comments!