MotoGP will have new rules in less than three years, in 2027, and part of the regulatory framework presented this week aims to decrease the performance of the bikes and make them safer. A change applauded by Aleix Espargaró.
For the Aprilia rider, bikes with lower performance will not only benefit the show, but are essential for safety, as the circuits have become too small for the current level: ‘We are competing on the same circuits where [Mick] Doohan and [Álex] Crivillé competed with the 500cc bikes and the Moto3 [bikes] are doing lap times similar to the 500cc bikes. So, this means that the circuits are no longer prepared. We can modify a bit, but the space is as it is. So, we need to reduce performance a bit. The engineers are too smart, there is too much technology, so we need to block this a bit. And also for the show, I believe it will be better‘.
What should be the path of MotoGP – prioritize speed or entertainment? Espargaró has an opinion: ‘You have to find a compromise. It’s always the same thing, a compromise. People at home don’t really care if you’re doing laps in 1m31.8s or 1m33.4s. And this 1.5s, the bikes will perform quite well too, but the show will be much better. So, you need to find a balance‘.
That said, the Spaniard emphasized that the decrease in performance must cover all categories, including the World Superbike Championship, so that MotoGP continues to be the pinnacle:
– It is obvious that you cannot leave the rules like this and then continue to give qualifying tires to Superbikes, because then production motorcycles will beat MotoGP motorcycles and people at home will not understand. But if you lower the level of all categories to make them better for safety and for the show, everyone is happy.
