– MotoGP is considering the introduction of the one-motorcycle rule starting from the 2027 season. This would mean that each rider would have only one motorcycle available during a race weekend instead of the current two.
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This measure is reportedly on the negotiation table according to Motorsport.com Spain, a sister site of Motorsport-Total.com. Currently, the MotoGP promoter MSEG and the manufacturers are negotiating a new framework agreement.
This new contract covers the period from 2027 to 2031. The initiative for the one-motorcycle rule, whose details are not yet fully known, stems from a proposal by the manufacturers.
Its goal is to reduce financial investments. Estimates suggest that if this rule comes into effect, it would reduce the number of technicians in the teams.
However, the savings in absolute numbers are difficult to quantify. Since this is a regulation change, the implementation must go through the corresponding voting procedures.
And finally, it must be approved by the Grand Prix Commission. If this change becomes concrete, the riders in the premier class would be in a similar situation to the riders in Moto2 and Moto3.
In the two smaller classes, there has been only one motorcycle per rider for more than a decade. Nevertheless, many teams are able to build a complete new motorcycle from the spare parts in the truck.
For the premier class, the one-motorcycle rule could follow the model of the Superbike World Championship. There, each rider has a second motorcycle stored at the back of the box or in the truck. However, this is not approved for track use.
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If a crash causes irreparable damage to a sensitive component, such as the frame, the respective team applies for approval from the championship’s technical commissioners.
They inspect the damage and decide on the approval of the “hidden” motorcycle for track use. In Formula 1, the FIA already banned spare cars starting from the 2008 season, also for cost reasons.
Impact on Flag-to-Flag Races
In MotoGP, the introduction of the one-motorcycle rule would mean a huge change in the way teams and riders work. Because in practice sessions, the two motorcycles are usually set up differently.
Riders can switch motorcycles after each run and compare the setups. While the rider is on the track, the mechanics can work on the other motorcycle.
Another scenario would concern races declared as “Flag-to-Flag.” Currently, riders can switch to the second motorcycle in the box during a weather change, which is either equipped with rain tires or slicks.
This would no longer be possible with only one motorcycle. In the Superbike World Championship, tires are changed during a pit stop instead. For this stop, a minimum stationary time is set for safety reasons.
Currently, in a Flag-to-Flag scenario, one motorcycle is set up for dry conditions and one for rain. If there were only one motorcycle, teams would also have to make compromises in the setup.
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