Last week Dorna officially released some of their new ‘anti-Ducati’ rules for 2027 aimed at pushing down the Bolognese based team…but not quite to the point where they leave, and the MotoGP series falls apart.
But what was said? And what does it all actually mean? Let’s find out…
ENGINES
What was said:
From 2027, engine size will be reduced from 1000cc to 850cc. This will decrease top speeds, making the sport safer, and increase mileage, making it more efficient and sustainable. The maximum bore will reduce from 81 to 75 millimetres, which will also limit performance. This makes the engines more road-relevant at the same time as ensuring they keep the characteristics that make MotoGP™ as spectacular as it is. To make the sport even more efficient, the maximum number of engines allowed for each rider in a season will also reduce, from seven to six.
What it actually means:
MotoGPNews broke this news that the engine size was set to be reduced to 850cc ages ago – click here for the full facts.
Officially the move comes as MotoGP bikes are becoming increasingly faster and the run-off areas at Jerez seem to be getting smaller. Fear not though Cal Crutchlow fans as the outright lack of straight-line speed should lead to increased corner speed (as proven in the universally-hated 800cc era) which will then amplify more injuries for the gravel hermits like Alex Rins and Joan Mir.
Unofficially though the engine redesign is to give the sorrowful Japanese teams a new starting point to which to fail from. The hope is that Honda may have the resources to throw enough money at the project that they get the jump on the lousy, cheating Europeans. Sadly though this won’t help them build a decent chassis – something Honda has consistently failed at in all forms of motorsport in the last decade.
The ‘road-relevant’ aspect is somewhat of a push given at last count there are no 850cc road bikes in production but loads of 1000cc ones.
Finally the new regulations should mean that engines are narrower. This could, inadvertently, give the hated Ducati some much needed space to cram another winglet into whilst claiming it’s for ‘cooling purposes’.
FUEL
What was said:
As already announced, MotoGP™ will race with 100% sustainable fuel from 2027 – rising from the minimum 40% the sport has raced with since 2024. As part of the new regulations, fuel tank capacity will also reduce, from 22 litres to 20, and riders will be allowed to use 11 litres during the Tissot Sprint.
What it actually means:
100% sustainable fuel is great news for everyone…with the slight exception of the cattle that now won’t get to eat the crop. Luckily we’re all set to be vegans by 2027 so good riddance to red meat.
The only real concern comes with the reduction of capacity. Although we’re not scientists we can assume that this vegan fuel will be weaker and pastier than the normal stuff…and will probably have a ‘free Palestine’ sign.
Weaker fuel, possibly cut with soy lattes, and less of it runs the risk of tedious fuel-management races. This could easily mean fuel conservation skills outweigh the raw speed talent (see Jenson Button’s career for further details) and lead to dull ‘management’ races.
AERODYNAMICS
What was said:
Aerodynamics will be reduced and more tightly controlled from 2027, with the aim of minimising their negative effects. The width of the top of the front fairing will be 50mm narrower and the nose will be pushed back 50mm, reducing the effect of aero where it matters, on the straights and the braking areas. This will create even closer racing, with even more overtaking.
At the back, the aero behind the rider will be part of the homologation from 2027, and teams will only be allowed to update that once per season to control costs.
What it actually means:
We all wanted to see an end to the stupid sticky-out bits glued onto every bike but the depressing bottom line is that aero is here to stay despite shaving 5cm off the fairing.
More worryingly announcing this now, instead of 5 minutes before the 2027 season begins, gives cunning Ducati three years to start circumnavigating the proposed rules to ensure they still have loads of ridiculous aero parts on their bike.
RIDE-HEIGHT AND HOLESHOT DEVICES
What was said:
In the new era from 2027, all ride-height and holeshot devices will be banned. That will control performance and make the sport safer, especially during race starts. This will also give even more importance to the skill of each rider, just like aero, is aimed at increasing their ability to overtake.
What it actually means:
All in all, probably a good thing.
GPS DATA
What was said:
To level the playing field even further, GPS data from all riders will be available to all teams after each session. Providing data to all competitors offers better opportunity to progress for the less performing teams and riders, and at a controlled cost. Access to this range of data will help make the sport safer, and it will also increase the level of insight available to fans around the world.
What it actually means:
The idea here is to allow all the other none-Ducati teams to see which specific areas their bike is being demolished by the Italian firm. Whether this would show up cheating is another matter. However in practice the data for none-Honda teams will be used to laugh at how bad Marini is still doing and for Honda to locate where on the outskirts of the circuit Joan Mir has thrown his bike.
How any of this increases safety is beyond us.
Most worryingly though is the “…increase the level of insight available to fans…” which suggests those sly bastards over at Liberty Media are setting us poor MotoGP fans up for a multi-tier payment package.
CONCESSIONS
What was said:
The current concession system, introduced at the end of the 2023 season, will continue – but as the new technical regulations come into force in 2027, all manufacturers will start the season in Rank B. They will then be assessed again mid-season, in summer 2027, and can change rank up or down to have access to more or less concessions. This reactive system means manufacturers’ performance is taken into account from Day 1, keeping the playing field as close as possible as a new era begins.
What it actually means:
Given the very realistic possibility that all the above anti-Ducati rules don’t actually stop Ducati winning then Dorna have this lovely open-ended concession regulation to fall back on.
These rules are already in effect to help the woeful Japanese teams that continue to struggle despite having huge budgets – known as ‘the noodle paradox’.
Expect the 2027 rules to be written in such a vague way that increasingly massive advantages could be awarded to the oriental teams each year to help them keep up and not leave the sport.