NEUMEISTER OPPOSES MOTOGP ONE-BIKE RULE

MotoGP’s five manufacturers—Aprilia, Ducati, Honda, KTM and Yamaha—are discussing ways to reduce costs with promoter Liberty Media and the FIM, as budgets come under pressure across motorsport. Options include a cap on total spending and a rule limiting each rider to one motorcycle in the garage.

KTM managing director Gottfried Neumeister sees potential in a budget cap, pointing to Formula 1 as an example. “I don’t think the cost cap is always respected,” he said, “but it has given all teams a basis from which to compete.” He added that smaller teams and companies are now able to contend at the front.

Neumeister is firmly opposed to the one-bike proposal, similar to a system used in World Superbike. Under that arrangement, a second machine is kept behind the garage wall and can be prepared only if the first is beyond repair; teams also bring parts or a rolling chassis as a further backup. In his view, the restrictions would save little overall while changing the character of racing.

“I don’t like the one-bike rule; I’m completely against it,” Neumeister said. “Yes, it can save some money, but it goes against my understanding of this sport.” Riders, he argued, should be able to push to the limit, return to the pits and switch to a second bike if necessary. “That is the heart of MotoGP.”

He said a spending limit could help create fairer conditions, but urged decision-makers to choose measures carefully and protect the sport’s appeal. One possible area for savings is fuel: requiring every team to use the same supplier, he suggested, would not affect the spectacle. Teams could still compete to extract the most performance from a common base, while smaller outfits would avoid a costly and demanding area of development.

Neumeister’s broader argument is that cost-cutting should focus on expenses that do not shape what fans see on track, rather than limiting riders’ ability to race or recover from a problem. Moto2 has used standardised engines since 2010, first supplied by Honda and then Triumph from 2019. Moto3 is also set to adopt Yamaha one-make bikes in 2028, powered by an engine based on the production R7.