Pirelli Tyre Testing Enters New Phase as MotoGP Riders Evaluate 2027 Regulations
Italian manufacturer Pirelli has completed its initial tyre testing with MotoGP’s top riders at the Autodrom Brno, gathering critical data ahead of its role as the sole supplier for the 2027 season.
MotoGP riders have completed the first official test of Pirelli prototype tyres at the Autodrom Brno, a significant development in the series’ preparations for the 2027 season. The Italian manufacturer is set to replace Michelin as the sole tyre supplier, a transition that coincides with major regulatory changes including a reduction in engine capacity from 1,000cc to 850cc.
The Brno session marked a shift in testing protocol, involving contracted riders from all five competing manufacturers for the first time. Participants included Marc Márquez and Fermín Aldeguer for Ducati, Marco Bezzecchi and Raúl Fernández for Aprilia, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and Augusto Fernández for Yamaha, Pedro Acosta, Daniel Pedrosa and Pol Espargaró for KTM, and Luca Marini and Joan Mir for Honda.
Each manufacturer provided two bikes for the evaluation: prototypes of the 850cc machines scheduled for 2027, and current 1,000cc race bikes that were detuned to simulate the performance of the smaller-capacity engines. This dual approach allowed teams to gather data on both the new tyre specifications and the altered dynamics of the future machinery.
Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director Giorgio Barbier described the outcome as positive, noting that the feedback quality and constructive contributions from riders and manufacturers were progressing according to plan. The test occurred under conditions similar to a race weekend, with sunny morning skies and cloudier conditions from mid-afternoon, allowing for comprehensive data collection on tyre performance.
The Brno test is the first of three scheduled sessions involving racing riders. The next test is set for 21 September following the Austrian Grand Prix, with a final session planned for 1 December after the season-ending Grand Prix of Valencia. These sessions are critical for defining the final characteristics of the tyre range ahead of the technical era that also includes the elimination of front and rear ride-height devices.
The testing programme was agreed upon in advance with the manufacturers and the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA), featuring differentiated run plans to maximise data collection. Riders conducted various runs, including Sprint Race simulations and full race-distance laps, integrating information from previous private tests with actual MotoGP performance feedback.
Pirelli’s journey towards joining MotoGP began last year at Misano with tests conducted by test riders, followed by numerous private sessions. The inclusion of contracted riders in Brno represents a key step in this development journey, ensuring that the tyres meet the performance, safety, and show standards required for the FIM Road Racing World Championship’s premier class.
