A new era for MotoGP from 2027: “We won’t be at the same level in the first year”

Immediately after the race weekend in Brno, a number of regular MotoGP riders took to the track together for the first time in the Czech Republic on next year’s bikes, featuring 850cc engines, restricted aerodynamics, non-height-adjustable suspension and Pirelli tyres.

Marc Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer were on track for Ducati, whilst Aprilia had Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez testing. Joan Mir and Luca Marini took to the track for Honda, whilst Toprak Razgatlioglu and Augusto Fernandez clocked up test kilometres for Yamaha. KTM was represented by Pedro Acosta, Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro.

The Brno test was an important opportunity to assess the current situation not only for the manufacturers but also for Pirelli, the future sole tyre supplier, which will replace Michelin from next season. Hot conditions meant that everyone involved was pushed to the limit right from the start.

Raul Fernandez

Foto: David Ulrich

Toprak Razgatlioglu

Foto: David Ulrich

Luca Marini

Foto: David Ulrich

Fermin Aldeguer

Foto: David Ulrich

Dani Pedrosa auf der KTM mit Tarnkleid

Foto: David Ulrich

Augusto Fernandez

Foto: David Ulrich

Marco Bezzecchi

Foto: David Ulrich

Marc Marquez

Foto: David Ulrich

Marc Marquez mit der 850er-Ducati beim Brünn-Test

Foto: David Ulrich

Pol Espargaro

Foto: David Ulrich

Raul Fernandez

© David Ulrich

Pirelli favours the most challenging conditions

“We’ve already had seven tests with our development team at Misano, Jerez, Sepang and Mugello,” revealed Pirelli’s racing director Giorgio Barbier in an exclusive interview with SPEEDWEEK.com. “Of course, we had specific riders this time, but the bikes were more or less the same. It was as hot as we’d expect for this time of year. I prefer conditions like this because, in the first two months of the season, we’ll be racing in the worst conditions in countries like Thailand or Malaysia. It was also hot during the race in Brno, so we were able to make a very important comparison. There were a few riders there who had never ridden the 850cc bike on Pirelli tyres before, so they had a reference point from the previous day. It’ll be exciting to see how the test at Spielberg goes; that’s another interesting circuit. Brno and Spielberg are a major challenge for the tyres; if things go well there, then you’ll probably have the rest of the season under control.”

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We can’t expect to be at the same level in our first year as the others have achieved after eleven years of work.

Pirelli racing director Giorgio Barbier on Michelin

“We have a lot to learn,” the northern Italian acknowledges. “In MotoGP we see prototypes, and the individual manufacturers build very different bikes and take very different approaches. I must make it clear: we cannot expect to be at the level in our first year that the others have achieved through eleven years of work. We must focus on what we are capable of – and we know what we are capable of. Building on that, we need to gain experience; since the test in September 2025, we have accelerated our programme. Had we waited for the 850s, we would only have got started three months ago. So we don’t have much time to decide which specifications and solutions to bring for next season. The next two or three years will be crucial for us in preparing the right tyres for this type of race. The first year is all about gaining as much experience as possible with these motorbikes and riders. This will form the foundation for the following season; that’s how we’ve always worked.”

Marc Marquez mit Giorgio Barbier

Foto: Pirelli