At the upcoming MotoGP weekend in Misano, it is to be decided that there will be no free engine development for some manufacturers in the 2026 season
The FIM Grand Prix Commission will approve an extraordinary measure to freeze engine development in MotoGP until the new regulations with the 850cc engines come into force in 2027. Our Spanish colleagues at Motorsport.com have learned that the GPC intends to approve this change at its next meeting in Misano.
However, the two Japanese manufacturers Honda and Yamaha – who currently benefit from the concession rules – will be exempt from the freeze unless they achieve better results that could lead to a change in this exemption.
The strategy of freezing engines has already been introduced in the past in MotoGP in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, engines were frozen from the beginning of 2020 until the end of 2021
Cost reduction until the start of the new MotoGP era
The move is part of an initiative by the governing body to keep costs under control with less than three seasons remaining under the current technical framework before the announced switchover in 2027
After that, the 1000 cc engines used since the 2012 MotoGP season will be replaced by the 850 cc engines. In addition, the manufacturers’ engineers will have to adjust to restrictions in the area of aerodynamics and the ban on ride-height devices.
No free development of engines planned from March 2025 to the end of 2026
Currently, teams are obliged to homologate their engines before the first round of the racing calendar. The stewards of the team association (IRTA) are responsible for the procedure for sealing the engines and for the checks that are carried out during the year
As soon as the green light is given, the power units will be homologated in the run-up to the Grand Prix of Thailand on March 2, 2025 at the latest. The specification approved in Buriram must be the same as the one used until the end of 2026.
There are a few exceptions that allow changes. The seal may be opened for safety-related issues. In August 2020, Yamaha applied to open the M1 engines of Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales, citing a problem with the valves, which led to considerable mistrust among the other representatives of the manufacturers’ association (MSMA).