- KTM technical director Sebastian Risse expects similar lap times on roughly half of all tracks
- VR46 close to signing a new Ducati deal through 2029; Aprilia had also expressed interest
- Marc Marquez sees Quartararo facing a career-defining decision
What Changes in MotoGP from 2027
The premier class of motorcycle racing is getting an entirely new technical rulebook from 2027. The current 1000cc engines are making way for smaller 850cc units, aerodynamics will be significantly curtailed, and the controversial ride-height devices will completely disappear from the starting grid. Additionally, the official tire supplier is changing: Pirelli replaces Michelin, adding another major unknown to the equation. Five manufacturers are currently preparing for this new era.
KTM Does Not Expect Slower Lap Times Everywhere
The widespread assumption that the new MotoGP prototypes will generally be significantly slower than the current machines is not fully shared at KTM. Technical director Sebastian Risse led the first track test of the new 850cc bike at Spain’s Jerez circuit in December and was subsequently optimistic.
Risse explained to Motorsport.com that the difference very much depends on the specific track. There are circuits where riders with the current 1000cc engines almost never use full throttle anyway. He cited Misano and Jerez as examples. On those tracks, the German engineer does not expect slower lap times. On circuits with multiple long straights, however, the picture looks different. There, the loss of the ride-height device and the reduced engine power will be clearly noticeable.
Overall, Risse estimates that the new bikes will deliver comparable lap times on roughly half of all tracks on the calendar. On the other half, they will be slower, though the exact extent remains to be determined. In terms of top speed, he expects a reduction of approximately 15 to 20 km/h, though ongoing development should gradually close this gap over time.
Engine Development Expected to Shrink Power Deficit
The KTM technical director also sees reason for long-term optimism. He pointed to the historical rate of engine development. On average, KTM has gained around 5 to 6 hp per year in the past. This should also apply to the smaller 850cc engines, possibly even to a greater extent, as the project is fresh and there tends to be more room for improvement at the start.
Risse made clear that an initial deficit of around 30 hp would by no means persist throughout the entire lifespan of the new regulations. Manufacturers will extract more power from the new engines season by season, until the pace of development eventually levels off.
VR46 Stays Loyal to Ducati, Aprilia Came Up Empty
Alongside the technical upheaval, negotiations over team partnerships for the 2027 era are progressing behind the scenes. Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Racing Team is close to completing a new contract with Ducati. Team principal Uccio Salucci confirmed to Motorsport.com in Buriram that the agreement is almost finalized. Only a few details remain, with an announcement expected within the next month. According to Motorsport.com, the new deal is set to cover three years — the 2027, 2028, and 2029 seasons.
Interestingly, Aprilia had also reached out to VR46 during the winter and signaled interest in a partnership. Salucci confirmed that there had been two or three meetings with Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola. The two have known each other since 2004, when Rivola oversaw Rossi’s Formula 1 test with Ferrari. A move away from Ducati was never seriously considered by VR46, however. Salucci described the Ducati Desmosedici as the best motorcycle in the world.
Since Pramac’s switch to Yamaha last year, Ducati has only two satellite teams alongside the factory squad. VR46 stepped up to the premier class in 2022 and by 2024 had developed into a factory-supported team with direct access to the latest technology.
Marquez: Quartararo Faces an Important Career Decision
In the current 2026 season, two high-profile riders are struggling with very different problems. Fabio Quartararo, 2021 MotoGP World Champion, continues to go nowhere on his Yamaha M1. At the season opener in Thailand, he only qualified 16th and had to fight through the midfield. The Yamaha still lacks top speed, and a major engine update with the new V4 powerplant is not expected until later in the season.
Reigning World Champion Marc Marquez on Ducati hinted that Quartararo faces a pivotal crossroads in his career. In motorsport, success never depends solely on the rider or the machine alone — it is always a combination of both. One has to follow their instinct to find the best project for the moment. Marquez cautioned against being overly influenced by outsiders. The years in a rider’s career pass quickly, and the active time in the sport is limited. He expects Quartararo to decide soon which direction he wants to take in the future, if he hasn’t already done so.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team
MotoGP
Rookie Razgatlioglu Needs Patience
The situation for Toprak Razgatlioglu is quite different. The three-time Superbike World Champion made his MotoGP debut for the Pramac Yamaha team in 2026 and finished 17th at the opening race in Buriram, nearly 40 seconds behind race winner Marco Bezzecchi. Marquez calmly assessed the result: Razgatlioglu simply needs more time to understand the motorcycle, the electronics, and the processes in the premier class. A learning phase is completely normal for a MotoGP rookie.
2027 Rider Market Remains in Limbo
Marquez declined to comment on specific transfer rumors and the 2027 rider market. Teams and manufacturers are currently working alongside the new technical regulations on a new commercial agreement with MotoGP Sports Entertainment, the successor to Dorna. Until this deal is finalized, official announcements regarding rider lineups and manufacturer partnerships are likely to be delayed. What is certain, however: both Quartararo and Razgatlioglu will be watched particularly closely at the start of the 2026 season — the former because of a potentially career-defining decision, the latter because of his adaptation process to the premier class.
→ For all information on the MotoGP 2026 season – teams, riders, calendar & standings – visit our MotoGP 2026 Season Overview.
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