The FIM has published the MotoGP technical regulations which are to be introduced for the five-year period from 2027. The rules contain few surprises, as much has been leaked and discussed previously. Here are the main points, and at the bottom is the full press release:
Engines
Maximum capacity has been reduced from 1000cc to 850cc. Maximum bore diameter has been reduced from 81mm to 75mm. This means the stroke of the engines will remain almost unchanged, and the revs will remain similar.
Engine allocations will be reduced by 1 for the season. For a season of 20 races or fewer, manufacturers will be allowed 6 engines. If there are 21 or 22 races, they will be allowed 7 engines.
Fuel
Maximum fuel capacity has been reduced from 22 liters to 20 liters, and from 12 liters in a sprint race to 11 liters. MotoGP has not followed WorldSBK in introducing fuel flow limits. Fuel will be from 100% non-fossil sources, with the policing of fuel to be determined in a working group together with fuel suppliers.
Transmission
The maximum number of permitted gear ratios to be used during a season has been reduced from 24 to 16. Manufacturers will have to make combinations of those 16 gear ratios work at all of the tracks on the calendar, from the tight and twisty Sachsenring to the wide open blast of Mugello.
Ride-Height/Holeshot
Ride-height devices (for use during the race) and holeshot devices (for use at the start) are banned completely.
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamic surfaces have been significantly reduced. The maximum width has been reduced from 600mm to 550mm. The nose of the fairing has been moved back by 50mm as well, reducing the leverage of front wings. And the way the fairing tapers has been altered as well.
New for 2027 is that rear aero is now hom*ologated, with one update per season allowed. The maximum height of the tail has been reduced from 1250mm to 1150mm. What this means is that there is much less room for aero on the tail of bikes, and factories will not be free to keep developing it.
Minimum weight
The minimum weight of the MotoGP bikes has been reduced from 157kg to 153kg.
GPS
New for 2027 is that GPS data will be shared between all riders. Every team and rider will be able to see the GPS data of everyone else. The GPS data only includes speed and position. But this will make it easier for teams to see where they are losing out and gaining compared to other riders.
Concessions
With the introduction of new technical rules, the concessions system will reset. All factories will start out with the same concessions, at Category B. That means engine development is frozen for the year, all riders are allowed 1 aero update per season, testing is restricted to test riders at nominated circuits, with a limit of 190 tires for the season, and they are allowed 3 wildcards per season. Concessions will be recalculated after the first half of the season, using only the 2027 results.
New manufacturers who enter will be entered in Category D for concessions, which means free testing, free engine development, 2 aero updates, and 260 test tires. Currently, no new manufacturers are expected to enter.
A deeper analysis of how the new rules might affect the racing will be published later today, after I have spoken to some people about it.
The press release with a summary of the changes for 2027 is shown below:
FIM Grand Prix World Championship
Decisions of the Grand Prix Commission
The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Carmelo Ezpeleta (Dorna, Chairman), Paul Duparc (FIM), Hervé Poncharal (IRTA) and Biense Bierma (MSMA), in the presence of Carlos Ezpeleta (Dorna), Mike Webb (IRTA, Secretary of the Meeting), Corrado Cecchinelli (Director of Technology), Jorge Viegas (FIM President), Paul King (FIM CCR Director) and Dominique Hebrard (FIM CTI Technical Manager) met in Jerez on 26 April 2024.
The commission ratified the outline of new technical regulations to be introduced in the 2027 season:
MotoGP Class Technical Regulations – Effective Season 2027
1.9.1/2.2
MotoGP class engine displacement will reduce from 1000cc to 850cc. The maximum cylinder bore will reduce from 81mm to 75mm. Engines will remain 4-stroke only, with 4 cylinders.
2.4.2 Concessions
Manufacturers who have raced in 2026 will start the 2027 season in Rank B. Rankings will be revised at the mid-season checkpoint in 2027, based on the first part of the 2027 season results only – 2026 results, before the regulation changes, won't be counted. The regular ranking system will resume at the end-season checkpoint at the end of 2027.
Any manufacturers who have not raced in 2026 will start 2027 season in Rank D. Their rankings will also be revised at the mid-season checkpoint in 2027, based on the first half of the 2027 season.
2.4.3.3 Engine durability
The number of engines available for use by each permanent contracted rider will reduce to 6 engines per season (up to 20 races), or 7 engines per season in the case of 21 or 22 races on the calendar.
Manufacturers in Concessions Rank D will continue to be able to use two additional engines per rider per season.
2.4.3.5 GPS
GPS data from all riders will be made available to all teams at the end of each session.
2.4.3.9 Transmission
In the MotoGP class the total number of gearbox ratios (pairs of gears) permitted will reduce to 16, plus 4 different overall ratios for the primary drive, for each season.
2.4.4.1 Minimum weight
The minimum bike weight in the MotoGP™ class will be 153kg.
2.4.4.4 Suspensions and dampers
No ride height devices of any kind will be permitted, including “holeshot” devices activated solely for race starts.
2.4.4.5 Fuel Tanks
Fuel tank capacity will be reduced to 20 litres for Grand Prix races and a maximum of 11 litres will be permitted for the Sprint.
2.4.4.7 Reduction of aero surfaces
The maximum permitted width of the high portion of the front fairing Aero Body will reduce from 600mm to 550mm, the maximum rear end height will reduce from 1250mm to 1150mm, the foremost point of the front fairing (nose) will be moved back by 50mm, and the rearward taper of the front fairing aero appendices will also narrow.
hom*ologation of aero surfaces
The rear end of the machine – any aerodynamics behind the rider – must be hom*ologated as part of the Aero Body. Manufacturers will be permitted to make one update per season.
2.4.5.1 Fuel and Oil
The use of 100% non oil-refinement origin fuel is confirmed from 2027.
The FIM, together with MSMA and the MotoGP fuel suppliers, will clarify all technical details via the TWG1 working group, including representatives from Dorna and IRTA, beginning in May 2024.
