Big news in MotoGP: Michelin will end its role as exclusive tire supplier at the end of 2026 – Pirelli will take over from 2027 and equip the premier class
Surprise in the paddock of the motorcycle world championship! After the 2026 season, there will be a tire change in MotoGP. Michelin is getting out and Pirelli is getting in. This means that Pirelli will supply tires for all three world championship classes and also for MotoE.
There were already some rumors last weekend during the season opener in Thailand. Michelin manager Piero Taramasso had told Crash.net that the company basically wants to extend the MotoGP contract.
But he also admitted that the talks were “open” at this point because Pirelli had signaled interest. Ultimately, Dorna decided to change the tire partner in the premier class from 2027. The contract with Pirelli was signed up to 2031 inclusive.
Pirelli has been supplying the Moto3 and Moto2 classes with a single tire since 2024. This contract has also been extended and will include MotoE from 2027. In addition, the Italian brand has been the sole tire supplier to the Superbike World Championship since 2004. The contract is valid until the end of 2026.
Michelin has a long history in the motorcycle world championship. In 1973, the first race victory in the 500cc class was won and in 1976 the first world championship title. In 1984 Michelin introduced radial tires and in 2008 tires with two compounds.
The French brand has already celebrated more than 500 Grand Prix victories in the premier class. At the end of 2009, Michelin withdrew from the tire war with Bridgestone. The Japanese brand, in turn, withdrew at the end of 2015. Michelin won the tender for itself from 2016.
The withdrawal after the 2026 season also coincides with the end of the current technical regulations. From 2027, MotoGP will use engines with a capacity of just 850 cubic centimeters. Ride-height systems will be banned and aerodynamics will be slightly reduced.
Nevertheless, Pirelli will have to develop special prototype tires for the first time. This is because the tires used in the Superbike World Championship are also available on the open market for track days. The tires for Moto2 and Moto3 are almost identical to these.
Pirelli has been the exclusive tire supplier for Formula 1 since 2011. The contract with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) runs until the end of 2027. It is currently unclear what will happen after that. What is certain is that both Formula 1 and MotoGP will be racing with Pirelli tires in 2027.
