MotoGP Rules Update: No More Wildcards in 2027
The powers that be at MotoGP have announced a number of rule changes, the most notable being the end of wildcards in the premier class.
Effective in the 2027 season, the MotoGP class will no longer allow wildcard entries, guest riders who are not on the official rider list. This rule does not apply to injury replacements, but to riders (usually factory test riders like Ducati's Michele Pirro) competing in addition to the usual grid. Wildcards will still be allowed in the Moto2 and Moto3 classes.
Most recently, Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) and Augusto Fernández (Yamaha Factory Racing) raced as wildcards at Jerez, and there will likely be some more wildcards over the rest of the 2026 season, while they are still allowed. Manufacturers typically invite riders to compete as wildcards so they can gather data on new components or setups in a real racing environment. What they will not be allowed to do is test new 2027-spec MotoGP bikes, as one of the other new rules is a ban on wildcards racing the new 850cc bikes this season.
Other rule changes include a new delayed start procedure, permission for Moto2 and Moto3 riders to wear heartrate monitors, and a continuation of the current tire pressure monitoring system for the 2027 season.
Begin Press Release:
Decisions of the Grand Prix Commission, March and April 2026
Decisions of the Grand Prix Commission
The Grand Prix Commission, composed of Messrs. Paul Duparc (FIM), Mike Webb (IRTA), Biense Bierma (MSMA) and Carmelo Ezpeleta (MotoGP SEG, Chairman) in the presence of Jorge Viegas (FIM President), Carlos Ezpeleta (MotoGP SEG), Corrado Cecchinelli (Director of Technology), Paul King (FIM CCR Director) and Dominique Hebrard (FIM CTI Technical Director), in meetings held in March and April 2026, made the following decisions:
MotoGP wildcards discontinued – effective 2027
Wildcards in the MotoGP class will no longer be permitted from the 2027 season onwards. This will apply to all manufacturers, regardless of their Concession Rank. Wildcards will remain permitted for the Moto2 and Moto3 classes.
2026 MotoGP wildcards not permitted with 2027 machinery – effective immediately
Wildcard entries in the MotoGP class in 2026 are not permitted to run 2027-spec 850cc machinery, regardless of a manufacturer’s concession rank.
MotoGP Start Delayed procedure countdown – effective immediately
After a Start Delayed is declared on the grid, the countdown to the Warm Up lap will now resume at the 5-minute board rather than the 3-minute board.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring system to continue in 2027 – effective 2027
The tyre pressure monitoring system currently in use in the MotoGP class will continue into the 2027 season.
Heartrate monitors permitted in Moto2/Moto3 – effective immediately
Heartrate monitors are officially permitted in the Moto2 and Moto3 classes as an optional sensor. Clarifications in the wording have also been applied regarding extra testing for MotoGP riders following injury and MotoGP electronics homologation regulations for the IMU.
A regularly updated version of the FIM Grand Prix Regulations which contains the detailed text of the regulation changes may be viewed HERE.
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lol! Jokers .
Interesting. I commented a few weeks back, questioning why Yamaha was running a 1000 cc V4 for just one year, sucking up huge amounts of money for what? To run in the last quartile or even bottom/mid half place of the races? Why not run a new 850 V4 bc there were no limits on engine size, except maximum - 1000 cc's. They could get their new 850 dialed in for the future a head of everyone else. And who knows, they might run strong? I could see a lighter, but powerful smaller V4s beating the 1000cc bikes around corners, especially on tighter, technical tracks. See Ducati's first test at Jerez on their new 850 - ran strong lap times comparable to the 1000cc machines that recently raced there.