Espargaro warns of MotoGP upheaval: “With Pirelli everything changes”

– The switch from Michelin to Pirelli could change MotoGP from 2027 more than many riders currently expect. Pol Espargaro is convinced of this. The KTM test rider is working intensively on the development of the new 850cc prototype and warns of a fundamental change in riding behavior.

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Especially riders with experience from Moto2 and the Superbike World Championship could have a decisive advantage at the start of the season. “These are very different tires. And I have the feeling that the riders are not really aware of the change that is coming,” says Espargaro.

From 2027, a completely new technical regulation will come into effect in MotoGP. The engines will be reduced from the current 1000 to 850 cubic centimeters, and at the same time, Pirelli will take over from Michelin as the exclusive tire supplier.

For Espargaro, the tire change is particularly a factor that could significantly shake up the balance of power within the starting grid.

Espargaro experiences the upheaval firsthand

The Spaniard is currently in an unusual situation. Because in addition to the tests for 2027, he is also used as a substitute rider. At the second Grand Prix after the summer break, he stepped in for Maverick Vinales. The Tech3 rider had not been on a MotoGP bike since the German Grand Prix.

How long Espargaro will continue to represent Vinales is unknown even to him. “There is no fixed plan. Normally, I get a call on the Friday of the week before the Grand Prix and find out that I will race,” reveals the Spaniard.

“That’s not ideal, but it’s my job. It doesn’t leave much time for preparation, but I don’t complain.” However, his role has a special side effect: He rides both the current bike and the 2027 prototype in parallel.

“This is now my life. One day I ride the current motorcycle and the next I get on the new 850cc motorcycle,” explains Espargaro. This allows him to experience the differences between the two generations directly. And it is precisely this experience that makes him warn about the influence of the new Pirelli tires.

Tire change bigger than the one ten years ago

Espargaro already knows a comparable upheaval. He experienced the switch from Bridgestone to Michelin in 2016 and now the upcoming switch from Michelin to Pirelli.

His judgment is clear: The upcoming step is significantly bigger. “The change is enormous, much bigger than what we experienced in 2016,” says the test rider.

Photo gallery: The test and substitute riders of the MotoGP teams

At the time of the change, the differences between the tire manufacturers were present, but the basic riding style did not change dramatically: “Back then, each manufacturer had some strengths and some weaknesses, but the way you had to ride was very similar.”

“Now, with the Pirelli tires, everything changes completely,” warns Espargaro. “The motorcycle is a completely different world.” As an example, he refers to Toprak Razgatlioglu. The Turk has repeatedly described the differences between the current MotoGP Michelins and the Pirelli tires known from the Superbike World Championship.

“I have often heard Toprak compare the current tires with the Pirelli tires he used in the Superbike World Championship. He says he can’t ride with these Michelins and doesn’t feel comfortable with them.” For Espargaro, this shows how big the adjustment could be for the established MotoGP riders.

Moto2 and Superbike riders clearly at an advantage?

Espargaro already observed a similar shift in the balance of power in Moto2 in 2024. At that time, the middle world championship class switched from Dunlop to Pirelli.

“In Moto2, we could see that riders who were previously not competitive suddenly fought at the front, while other fast riders disappeared. And I have no doubt that this will also happen in MotoGP.”

Therefore, Espargaro expects an advantage for riders who are already familiar with Pirelli tires. This includes especially riders from the Superbike World Championship as well as riders moving up from Moto2 to MotoGP. And the experienced Spaniard also sees possible shifts with the motorcycles themselves.

“Another question I ask myself is which motorcycles will be competitive. We already know that Ducati will be very fast because the motorcycles will be somewhat like a slightly bigger Superbike machine, and Ducati knows this category very well,” he again refers to the WSBK.

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Espargaro also names concrete examples among the riders. Razgatlioglu has extensive Pirelli experience from the Superbike World Championship. From 2027, Nicolo Bulega is also expected to move from the Superbike category to MotoGP.

Photo gallery: The contract durations of the current MotoGP riders

“They will have an enormous advantage, not only those coming from the Superbike World Championship but also the riders from Moto2. And I believe that the current MotoGP riders are not aware of this,” emphasizes Espargaro.

Bulega already noticeably fast according to Espargaro

He especially trusts Bulega to have a strong entry into MotoGP. Espargaro assumes that his experience advantage will be visible from the first race.

“I think the young riders coming from Moto2 will have a very, very big advantage. And the rider coming from the Superbike World Championship – in this case Bulega – will be very fast, even very, very fast. He is already fast in the tests, but he will be fast from the start of the season.”

This could make preparation for the new tire era a decisive factor. Exactly here, however, Espargaro sees a disadvantage for the current regular MotoGP riders. Because they have only limited opportunities to get to know the Pirelli tires before the start of the new rule era from 2027.

Little test time with the new Pirelli tires

Some riders were and can be gaining experience during the two tire tests within the season (June 22 in Brno, September 21 in Spielberg). In addition, there is the test in December in Valencia. However, this causes criticism from riders like Fabio Quartararo and Jorge Martin, who are changing manufacturers.

They will only test the new tires on December 1. However, conditions could then be so difficult that the significance of the data is limited.

“The MotoGP riders will have very little time, while the Moto2 and Superbike riders will arrive and already know the tires very well,” speculates Espargaro. Exactly this difference could strongly influence the start of the season.

Less power, hardly slower lap times

Whether the switch from Michelin to Pirelli ultimately represents an improvement or deterioration, Espargaro does not want to judge in general terms. It will be different. For some it will be good, for others bad,” the Spaniard does not commit.

The new regulation will lead to less engine power, but at the same time the motorcycles will be lighter. Therefore, the pure lap time does not necessarily have to be slower. “It is a category where the motorcycles will be slower, but they will not have less acceleration.”

Another effect of the lower power and lower top speed could be safety. According to Espargaro’s assessment, the 2027 motorcycles will be “less dangerous,” although they will still be very fast.

Espargaro expects closer MotoGP over time

For the development of the championship, the KTM test rider initially expects a certain acclimatization. Only when the manufacturers have reached a good development level during the season is the field likely to close up more.

“I think it will not be like that in the first half of the season,” predicts Espargaro. “But from mid-season, when the manufacturers have reached a good level, the class will be much more balanced.” The lower top speed could additionally lead to closer gaps and more overtaking maneuvers.

His conclusion about the new MotoGP era is therefore positive: “It will be a very entertaining and less dangerous category, and that is good for the championship.”

For Espargaro, it is already clear: The technical upheaval of 2027 will go far beyond a smaller engine. Above all, the switch from Michelin to Pirelli could break up the usual hierarchies and surprisingly bring riders with corresponding tire experience far forward.

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