Pirelli REPORTEDLY UNABLE TO SCRAP MOTOGP TYRE-PRESSURE PENALTIES FOR 2027

MotoGP’s tyre-pressure penalty system could remain in place when Pirelli becomes the championship’s sole tyre supplier in 2027, despite the company reportedly favouring a different approach, former crew chief Ramon Forcada says.

The issue returned to the spotlight at the Indonesian Grand Prix. Pedro Acosta repeatedly had to drop behind Marc Marquez in an effort to raise his front-tyre pressure, while Jorge Martin had lost a sprint victory the previous day over a similar problem. Acosta criticised the rule, saying riders “looked like donkeys”.

Under the current regulations, introduced after teams exploited a grey area in 2022, riders must spend at least 30% of a sprint and 60% of a grand prix above the minimum front pressure of 1.8 bar. Falling short brings an eight-second penalty in a sprint or 16 seconds in a grand prix.

Forcada said on the Duralavita podcast that Pirelli had initially wanted to avoid post-race sanctions and changes to results based on pressure readings. He said the company had discussed checking pressures before the race and verifying them on the grid, but temperature makes grid checks difficult. A check around half an hour before the start could be an alternative, he suggested, comparing the process with fuel checks and sealed tanks.

“[They will keep penalising] because they are forced to,” Forcada said. He added that Pirelli may not want to arrive and immediately overhaul the system, appearing to “ruin everything” for the existing teams.

The incoming supplier will have an opportunity to design a MotoGP-specific tyre. Pirelli already supplies WorldSBK and Moto2, but the MotoGP design is reportedly not expected to be based directly on either series’ tyre, although it will share similar characteristics. The 850cc bikes planned for 2027 will also have no ride-height devices, which could help reduce the heat and load affecting the current Michelin front tyre.

The pressure problem might have been addressed earlier. Michelin had planned a new front tyre intended to reduce pressure-related difficulties, first targeting its introduction for 2025. A prototype was tested at Misano in 2024, but teams spent only about half an hour on it—considered insufficient testing for a safe rollout. The plan was pushed back to 2026 and later abandoned after Michelin’s contract was not renewed beyond 2026.

The Indonesian incidents have renewed scrutiny of a system that can shape race tactics and results. Forcada’s account suggests that, even with a new supplier and a different tyre design, the penalties may survive the transition into MotoGP’s 2027 era.