Standard fuel from the 2027 Superbike World Championship onwards: E40 petrol remains the standard

At the end of July, the Superbike Commission – comprising representatives from the FIM, manufacturers and promoter Liberty – presented a roadmap for the production-based World Championship. Some changes will come into effect from 2027, whilst others will not take effect until 2028 and 2030. A change has been made regarding the petrol used.

Whilst MotoGP will use 100 per cent synthetic fuel from 2027, the production-based world championship will continue to use a 40 per cent biofuel blend – known as E40 for short. Rumours to the contrary are completely unfounded. “It wasn’t even discussed within the MSMA,” said a source close to SPEEDWEEK.com editor-in-chief Ivo Schützbach, expressing surprise at the speculation surrounding this issue. “It would only be an issue if there were a desire for a rule change, but there isn’t at present. Nor is it likely to become an issue in the medium term.”

For information: the abbreviation MSMA stands for ‘Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association’. Each manufacturer represented on this body appoints one member. Resolutions require unanimity. Changes to the Superbike regulations, in turn, require the approval of the MSMA.

With the decision to retain E40, fears that teams might face unreasonably high costs have also been allayed.

However, unlike in the past, from 2027 onwards manufacturers and teams will not be able to source racing fuel from a manufacturer of their choice, but will instead receive it from designated suppliers – in the same way as will be the case with Michelin tyres and Brembo brakes. Potentially, any manufacturer that has had a Category 1 petrol grade homologated by the FIM is eligible. From a list of around ten possible suppliers, Petronas is the most likely candidate.

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