New Regulations for the FIM MotoGP World Championship in 2027

On May 6, the FIM Grand Prix World Championship announced that it has approved a new technical regulation framework to be introduced in the 2027 season. This decision was made following a meeting of the Commission on April 26, 2024, in Jerez, Spain, attended by representatives from the FIM International Motorcycling Federation, IRTA (International Road Racing Teams Association), MSMA ( Manufacturers’ Motorcycle Association), and Dorna’s President. FIM President Jorge Viegas, along with the Technical Director of the FIM, Director of the FIM CCR, FIM CTI Technical Manager, and IRTA Meeting Secretary, were also present.

The FIM GP World Championship, which has seen numerous significant changes since its first race in 1949, entered the four-stroke era with the 2002 season marking the transition from two-strokes, with the introduction of MotoGP, replacing WGP500. Moto2 replaced WGP250 in 2010, and Moto3 took over from WGP125 in 2012.

In the MotoGP class, there have been three major rule changes: from 2002 to 2006, engines were limited to 990cc; from 2007 to 2011, they were restricted to 800cc; and since 2012, engines have been limited to 1000cc. The new regulations set to take effect in 2027 will mark the fourth major shift in the relatively short history of the class.

Some excerpted details of the new MotoGP specifications to be implemented in the 2027 season:

1.9.1/2.2.

* MotoGP machines will see their maximum engine displacement reduced from the current 1000 cc to below 850 cc.

* Engines will be limited to four-stroke, four-cylinder configurations.

* Maximum cylinder bore will decrease from 81 mm to 75 mm.

2.4.2

* The manufacturer-specific regulations introduced in 2024, which categorize manufacturers into A (over 85% of the maximum constructor points in the previous season), B (60% to 85%), C (35% to 60%), and D (under 35%), will continue to provide incentives such as more tires, engines, wildcard entries, and engine development freedom to less successful manufacturers. All manufacturers entering the 2027 season, following the new rules, will start under the current B category regulations, with assessments beginning anew on the first day of the season.

2.4.3.3

* The number of engines each contracted rider can use per season will be reduced to six (for up to twenty rounds); seven engines will be allowed if the calendar includes twenty-one or twenty-two rounds.

* Manufacturers classified as D will still be able to use two additional engines per rider per season.

2.4.3.5

All riders’ GPS data will be provided to all teams after each race.

2.4.3.9

The total number of gear ratios allowed per season will be reduced to sixteen, with a limit of four different final drive ratios.

2.4.4.1

The minimum weight for MotoGP bikes will be 153 kg.

2.4.4.4

Devices that alter ride height, including systems activated solely for starts, will be prohibited.

2.4.4.5

Tank capacity will be reduced to 20 liters for full races and 11 liters for Sprint races.

2.4.4.7

* The maximum width of the upper part of the fairing will be reduced from 600 mm to 550 mm, and the maximum height at the rear will drop from 1250 mm to 1150 mm. The front fairing will also need to be moved back 50 mm, and the aerodynamic components’ aft cone angle will narrow.

* Any aerodynamic components behind the rider must be part of an Aero package, which manufacturers will be allowed to update once per quarter.

2.4.5.1

Starting in 2027, the use of 100% non-petroleum fuels (biofuels) will be mandatory. From May of this year, FIM will work with MSMA and MotoGP fuel suppliers through TWG1 (including Dorna and IRTA representatives) to clarify all related technical details.

Further specific technical details will be released in due course.

Below are images of a MotoGP machine from the 2011 season (stock images).