– MotoGP is facing one of the biggest technical upheavals in its history in 2027. Smaller 850cc engines, significantly restricted aerodynamics, the elimination of ride-height devices, and the switch to Pirelli as the sole tire supplier are intended to make racing closer and more spectacular again.
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But of all people, world champion Marc Marquez dampens expectations. After his first experiences on the 2027 prototype, he appears surprisingly pessimistic.
In an interview with MCNews, the Spaniard explains that while MotoGP is basically taking the right path with the new rules, from his point of view it should go even further against the effects of aerodynamics.
“For me, I would even go further,” says Marquez. Because the current aero generation makes overtaking significantly more difficult. The Ducati star vividly describes the difference to earlier times: If a rider was two or three tenths slower than his competitor in the past during practice, he could still keep up with his pace in the race after a good start in the slipstream.
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Today, exactly that is hardly possible anymore: “If you are three tenths slower today and riding behind another motorcycle, you suddenly become five tenths slower.” Following has become significantly more difficult due to aerodynamics.
As a result, overtaking maneuvers become rarer and larger groups in the race are practically prevented. Overall, the riding behavior of modern bikes has changed a lot.
Due to the enormous downforce, the motorcycles today lie “like a table” on the track. Slides that could still be caught earlier often lead directly to a crash today because even small irregularities affect the aero.
Little hope for a big effect from the 2027 rules
Marquez doubts whether the new generation of vehicles will solve this problem. After his first test kilometers with the 850cc prototype, his judgment is sobering.
“At the moment, I am not very optimistic,” he admits openly. Although he wishes that the new motorcycles would provide better racing, “but from what I have ridden so far, the motorcycles are more or less the same.”
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The smaller engine alone will hardly lead to more overtaking maneuvers according to his assessment. Although the engine has less power, at the same time the braking zones are shortened. “We brake even harder for that. In the end, overtaking will remain difficult, maybe even more difficult.”
From the stands, the performance difference between the previous 1000cc bikes and the new 850s will probably hardly be noticeable anyway, Marquez believes.
Even today, the full engine power cannot be fully utilized on many straights. Even in Misano, the maximum torque is not constantly exploited with the current bikes. With the new machines, however, the full potential is already used when accelerating out of the corners.
Tires could become the decisive factor
The Ducati rider therefore expects the greatest influence on racing not from the engine or aerodynamics, but from a completely different component: the tires.
“The biggest difference will be the tires,” he says. Depending on how the new Pirelli tires behave, the character of the races could also change: “Depending on the tire, we will see one or the other type of race.”
With this, Marquez indirectly confirms the assessment of many engineers. While engine power and aerodynamics are clearly defined in the new regulations, the tire change is considered the biggest uncertainty factor. Pirelli is taking over from Michelin and is currently developing completely new slicks for the upcoming motorcycle generation.
Already more rider influence – but is it enough?
Marquez basically welcomes the direction MotoGP is taking with the new regulations from the 2027 season. The introduction of the standard electronics had already increased the rider’s influence again, the Spaniard explains in the same interview. He also considers the reduction of aerodynamics to be sensible.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard remains cautious. His first impressions of the prototype do not make him believe that fans will automatically experience more spectacular races.
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