Agostini criticizes MotoGP transfers: "The rider market starts much too early"

– For Giacomo Agostini, one thing is certain: modern MotoGP has moved too far in some areas from what once defined racing. The 15-time world champion is particularly critical of two developments: the driver market starting earlier and earlier and the steadily growing influence of technology.

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In an interview with Moto.it, the Italian speaks openly about why he sees a need for change in both areas. Agostini is particularly clear on the subject of transfers.

“The driver market starts much too early”

He considers it problematic that team changes for the coming year are already being speculated and negotiated at the start of the season. “Today we are too fast in everything,” says the Italian. Often, at the very beginning of the season, it is already known that a driver will compete for a completely different team next year.

As a result, something is inevitably lost – for the driver and also the team. Because if a pilot is already planning a move, it can strain the relationship within the team. At the same time, the team also asks itself how intensively they should still work with a driver who is leaving soon anyway.

Agostini’s suggestion is therefore clear: “It would be right to wait at least until the middle of the season.” Only then should negotiations officially begin.

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In his opinion, there are currently too many rumors. Especially in the case of possible moves involving riders like Francesco Bagnaia, there is a lot of speculation, even though the teams are often already well-positioned. For Agostini, these are often “tante chiacchiere”: many conversations that ultimately have little substance.

Concern about too much technology

Agostini becomes even more fundamental when looking at the technical development of the motorcycles. For him, the modern premier class has now reached a level where technology sometimes has too much influence on the races.

“Today there is too much technology,” he says. His wish: the rider should be the focus again. In the past, the pilot’s talent played an even greater role.

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As an example, Agostini mentions systems like the ride-height device, with which motorcycles can be lowered at the push of a button or settings can be changed automatically. “Today they press a button and everything lowers,” he explains. In the past, much was simply a matter of the rider’s feeling.

The record champion is also critical of aerodynamics. The wings on MotoGP bikes, which are now widespread, do not fit the character of a motorcycle for him. “Planes have wings, not motorcycles,” says Agostini.

Hope for the 2027 rules

Against this background, the Italian evaluates the planned rule changes for 2027 positively. Then MotoGP is to switch to 850cc engines, among other things, and restrict aerodynamic and technical possibilities more severely.

It is less decisive whether the motorcycles have 850 or 1000 cubic centimeters of displacement. “Nothing changes for the audience,” he says. After all, the fans wouldn’t look at the cubic capacity. The effect on racing is more important.

Less power could help reduce problems with tires, brakes, and rideability. Today, many riders have to pay close attention to their tires during the race and cannot constantly push to the limit. That is exactly what Agostini wants to see again: “We want to see the rider who gives everything.”

For him, motorsport thrives on pilots achieving things that only a few people can master, and not on how much technology is working in the background.

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