Former MotoGP champion Casey Stoner remains deeply connected to the world of motorcycle racing, keeping a keen eye on each season’s developments. Recently, the introduction of new MotoGP regulations for 2027 caught his attention, prompting a candid response from the retired Australian racer. These regulations involve significant changes in electronics and aerodynamics, aimed at evolving the competition.
Stoner took to Instagram to express his views on the updates. In a post on the official MotoGP social media page, he commented, “The ONLY improvement in the current rules is the ban on ride height and the Holeshot device. Nothing else will benefit this sport for the future, only engineers will reap the benefits.” His use of capital letters on “ONLY” underscores his strong stance that this is the singular positive change, with a particular emphasis on the need for electronic simplifications in the sport.
Meanwhile, current MotoGP contender Pecco Bagnaia shared his thoughts on the complexity of electronics in modern MotoGP bikes during an interview with ‘SpeedWeek.’ Unlike Stoner, Bagnaia sees the array of buttons on a bike’s handlebars as a normal part of a rider’s job, explaining, “I don’t understand why some riders say it’s difficult to manage the buttons or adjust the chassis. You have to get used to it. For me, playing with the buttons during a race has become normality. It’s part of the job. If you want to be fast, you have to do it. Maybe these guys complain because their bikes are not on the same level as ours. So you want to get rid of some of these things so that we no longer have this advantage. At the moment, everyone is more or less at the same level.”
Stoner’s criticism reflects a broader debate within the MotoGP community about the direction of technological advancements in the sport. While some argue that these changes push the boundaries of what motorcycles can achieve, others, like Stoner, feel they may detract from the sport’s essence, benefiting engineers more than riders and potentially complicating the competition rather than enhancing it.
As the 2027 regulations begin to take shape, the community remains divided, with voices like Stoner’s highlighting the need for balance between innovation and the traditional racing spirit that has defined MotoGP for decades.