Pirelli's First MotoGP Test Goes Alright

Starting in 2027, Pirelli will be the official tire provider for MotoGP, replacing Michelin who has supplied the racing series since the start of the 2016 season. On Tuesday, Pirelli completed a sprint simulation, among other “experiments,” at Misano in preparation for the 2027 season.

Why does this matter, though? Well, starting in 2027, MotoGP will season a sweeping rule change including a reduction in engine size (1000cc to 850cc), reduced aerodynamic aids, removal of ride-height and launch control devices, as well as a reduction in fuel capacity, among other things.

These will likely shake up the MotoGP grid when the green flag waves in 2027, so testing the new rubber supplied by Pirelli is an important part in developing an all-new bike, especially given the reduction in overall downforce that riders have become accustomed to with winglets on the fairing and shark fins on the tail of the GP bikes.

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Each MotoGP team took part in the test using a single bike, allowing only their official test riders to throw a leg over the machine. Augusto Fernandez took the seat for Yamaha, Daniel Pedrosa for KTM, Takaaki Nakagami for Honda, Lorenzo Savadori for Aprilia, and Michele Pirro was aboard the Ducati.

Ride height devices were deactivated for the test, and in some cases, the bikes were detuned and the aerodynamic packages were modified to simulate the forthcoming 2027 rule change. Although the test was closed to the media, Pirelli issued a statement following the session, “The test took place according to the run plan, which also included a sprint race simulation,” noted Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli’s motorcycle racing director. “The first feedback received is very encouraging – this test has generated a lot of data to be analyzed in order to continue our development work of the MotoGP tires. The most appreciated features are definitely grip, warm-up speed and confidence,” Barbier concluded.

According to a report on Motorsport.com, each team was allotted seven sets of tires to test at Misano, which hosted the San Marino GP the weekend prior, as well as the mid-season MotoGP test on Monday. Tire allocation included two front tire variants and three different rear tires.

So, while things sound like they went as well as they could, we’ll have to wait to hear from the test riders about how their new Italian tires held up during the test session.

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