– MotoGP will continue to race with two motorcycles per rider during a race weekend even after the major regulation change taking effect from 2027.
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A proposal that was discussed in the meantime to reduce the number of machines in the garage to one motorcycle has been shelved. The initiative from Aprilia and Ducati ultimately did not find the necessary support from the other manufacturers.
Aprilia and Ducati wanted to reduce costs
As Motorsport-Total.com reported a few weeks ago, a fundamental change to the previous procedures was discussed. Specifically, it was about reducing the number of motorcycles available to a rider during a Grand Prix weekend from two to one.
However, the original proposal was quickly clarified. It was not intended to completely do without a second motorcycle. Rather, a second machine should still be ready at the back of the garage and be used exclusively in qualifying and the race.
During the other practice sessions, the riders would only have had one motorcycle available. At the same time, a reduction in practice time was planned.
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The initiative came from Aprilia and was related to the efforts of the MotoGP organizers to reduce costs for the manufacturers. In this context, a possible budget cap is even being discussed.
Why Aprilia and Ducati pushed the idea
Besides the financial aspects, technical development apparently also played a role in the idea. After the first private tests with the prototypes for the new 850cc regulations from 2027, Aprilia and also Ducati saw the possibility to increase their lead over the Japanese manufacturers.
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Because Honda and Yamaha are behind in the development of the new motorcycles. If the number of available motorcycles were reduced, this could, according to supporters, lead to an overall slowdown in the development pace.
Those manufacturers who are already further advanced with the new 850cc prototypes could have benefited from this. But to pursue the idea further, the approval of all manufacturers would have been required first. Only then could the proposal have been submitted to the Grand Prix Commission.
This body is the highest authority in MotoGP and is the only entity authorized to change the technical and sporting regulations accordingly.
KTM withdrew its support again
Aprilia and Ducati then tried to win over other manufacturers for their idea, but without success. KTM had temporarily approached the proposal but changed its position again and joined Yamaha, which had been against reducing to only one motorcycle per rider from the start.
Honda, which initially took a rather neutral or majority-oriented position, ultimately rejected the proposal as well. Thus, Aprilia and Ducati were left alone with their initiative. A necessary majority for a regulation change was therefore no longer given.
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