For the test, the current bikes were used with deactivated ride height devices and, in some cases, detuned and modified in aerodynamics to simulate the configuration of the 850cc machines set to debut in 2027
Pirelli will bring its own development philosophy to MotoGP: tyres for the exclusive use of the premier class, as required by regulations, yet created with technologies and processes from series production in the German factory of Breuberg
Pirelli has concluded its initial tests with their first prototype MotoGP tyres. The company, which will be the exclusive supplier of the premier class from 2027, had the tyres evaluated by Test Riders from the Test Teams of the five manufacturers participating in the World Championship: Augusto Fernandez for Yamaha, Daniel Pedrosa for KTM, Takaaki Nakagami for Honda, Lorenzo Savadori for Aprilia and Michele Pirro for Ducati.
The aim of this first test, which took place today at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in mainly sunny and dry track conditions with asphalt temperatures between 25 °C and 43 °C, was to obtain feedback to continue the development and process of defining the characteristics of the front and rear tyres to be used in MotoGP.
Pirelli has organised and defined the parameters and the run plan of the test in agreement with the manufacturers and has made 7 sets of tyres available to each team, in two different versions for the front and three for the rear, in the current sizes used in MotoGP, i.e. 17 inches in diameter for rims with a width of 4” at the front and 6.25″ at the rear. The new Pirelli tyres, as required by regulations, have been tested with the bikes that are competing in the current season, with ride height devices deactivated and, in some cases, detuned, and with appropriate aerodynamic changes to make them as similar as possible in terms of characteristics and performance to the configuration of the new 850cc bikes, to be used in the new era of the World Championship starting in 2027.
Pirelli tyres for MotoGP will be made in the company’s factory in Breuberg, Germany, the same one that produces all motorcycle radial racing tyres and also some of the most successful models for road use. The choice is motivated by the fact that Pirelli intends to apply to MotoGP the basic philosophy that has guided the entire development of the racing motorcycle tyres produced by the company in recent decades. This is to utilise existing technologies and production processes in favour of the sustainability of the MotoGP project, product quality and the ease of transfer of technology and experience gained in the top motorcycle competition in products intended for use on the road.
Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli’s Motorcycle Racing Director, said: “The Misano test was the first step in our return to the World Championship, and we are very satisfied with both the excellent working relationship that has been struck up between our engineers and all the teams and riders of the Test Teams and the tyre performance. The test took place according to the run plan, which also included a Sprint race simulation, and the first feedback received is very encouraging – this test has generated a lot of data to be analysed in order to continue our development work of Pirelli MotoGP tyres. The most appreciated features are definitely grip, warm-up speed and confidence. We have decided to approach MotoGP with the same philosophy that has always distinguished us in motorcycle racing: the tyres will have to be dedicated exclusively to the premier class, because this is what the regulations require. We also want to exploit the technologies and processes consolidated over years of production with the triple objective of making our participation in this championship a virtuous example of sustainability in motorsport, offering a quality and homogeneous construction of the product and, last but not least, transferring more directly the technologies and know-how that we will develop in MotoGP to tyres intended for road use for the benefit of motorcyclists all around the world”.
The five-year agreement reached with Dorna provides, in addition to the MotoGP supply, the extension to 2031 of the contract already in place for the FIM Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships, considered the most important forge of talent in two-wheeled motorsport globally, and for the talent cups that are part of the Road to MotoGP, the global initiative that identifies the competitions and programmes for young riders that MotoGP supports around the world. The aim; increasing accessibility and equal opportunities. Pirelli, for the same five-year period, will remain the official and sole tyre supplier for all classes of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship, Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, Northern Talent Cup, Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and FIM MiniGP World Series.
With the supply of Moto2 and Moto3 from 2024 and now also of the world’s top competition for motorcycling prototypes on the track, Pirelli becomes the first tyre manufacturer to supply all classes of the World Championship and the most prestigious world motorcycle competitions.
This single-supply contract crowns Pirelli’s commitment to motorcycle racing and, more generally, to motor sports, in which the Italian group has been involved since 1907, the year in which it won the Paris-Beijing raid. Motorsport is in fact part of Pirelli’s DNA and has always played a key role in the company’s strategy. Today, Pirelli supplies tyres to over 350 championships, both two- and four-wheeled, and boasts over twenty years’ experience as the sole supplier for all classes of the FIM Superbike World Championship. Pirelli has also participated in the FIM Motocross World Championship for decades with a palmarès of 82 world titles and is Global Tyre Partner of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship since 2011, as well as supplier to the FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3, Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, GT World Challenge and numerous other national series.
