RAZGATLIOGLU CREW CHIEF TELLS HIM NOT TO DWELL ON 2027 RULE CHANGES

Toprak Razgatlioglu’s attention is already turning to MotoGP’s 2027 rule changes, but his team insists the Turkish rider can’t simply switch off on the present. Since moving from World Superbikes to Pramac, Razgatlioglu has struggled to make the Yamaha YZR-M1 work for him, with particular frustration linked to the Michelin tyres compared with the Pirelli rubber he was used to. In his Pramac stint so far, he has scored just 14 points, and the bike’s lack of competitiveness has been a recurring theme, with the YZR-M1 described as underpowered and underdeveloped.

The motivation for looking ahead is clear: the 2027 regulations are set to remove ride height devices, introduce Pirelli tyres in place of Michelin, and reduce engine capacity from 1,000cc to 850cc. For Razgatlioglu, those changes are viewed as a potential reset that could better suit his strengths and help him close the gap. His crew chief, Alberto Giribuola, also framed 2027 as an opportunity, but he urged Razgatlioglu not to over-focus on next season.

Speaking on journalist Giovanni Zamagni’s YouTube channel, Giribuola said the immediate priority is continuing the learning process that will underpin Razgatlioglu’s development. “Well, let’s just keep going with our learning process – first of all, to get to know all the tracks, which will come in handy for next year, right?” he said. He added that adapting to MotoGP requires building “sensitivity” to how a MotoGP bike behaves, noting that the reactions can differ from a Superbike. “It’s also true that next year, without downforce reducers and with Pirelli tyres at 850 maybe something will change, but I don’t want him to think too much about next year,” Giribuola continued.

Giribuola’s point was that 2026 still matters because Razgatlioglu will be racing against riders who already have strong experience with Michelin tyres and the race management that comes with them. “This year is still a foundation of knowledge he needs to have,” he said, explaining that learning how to manage the current tyre situation is necessary to avoid being at a disadvantage.

Razgatlioglu’s wider context also includes team changes at Pramac: Izan Guevara is set to replace Jack Miller, giving Razgatlioglu a new young teammate. However, the outlook for 2027 is not guaranteed. The reporting also suggests Yamaha may be behind with its 2027 bike development, raising the possibility that Razgatlioglu could still face difficult results even with the regulation shift.