Stefan Pierer: "We Don't Want These Systems And Devices - Efforts From All Factories Except Ducati"
Categories: MotoGP
The MotoGP regulations are still fixed until the end of the 2026 season. Stefan Pierer, head of the Pierer Mobility Group (KTM, GASGAS and Husqvarna), calls for major adjustments for 2027.
Since KTM’s re-entry into Grand Prix racing in 2012, the Pierer Mobility Group has intensified its motorsport and especially Grand Prix racing efforts every year.
For 2023, subsidiary GasGas will have a new MotoGP team in addition to the already successful Moto3 and Moto2 teams.
Pol Espargaro on the 2023 GasGas bike – Image provided by Motorsport Images
If the bikes are competitive, the chances are good with the promising riders Pol Espargaro and Moto2 world champion Augusto Fernandez.
Nevertheless, the 2023 season is a big challenge for the KTM-led MotoGP teams. The KTM factory team already showed some weaknesses in 2022.
In addition to the lack of performance from all riders on a qualifying lap, KTM fell massively behind in the aerodynamics area.
Massive new developments in this increasingly important area are planned for 2023 – some of which were already tested after the Valencia Grand Prix.
But despite the massive development work and the commitment of Red Bull Racing engineers, the gap to Ducati seems almost impossible to close.
Brad Binder during the Valencia test day – Image provided by Motorsport Images
An adjustment of the regulations has been discussed for some time – also during a meeting of the manufacturers’ alliance MSMA. Stefan Pierer reports:
“There are efforts by almost all factories to ban aerodynamic aids and various devices. Yamaha, Honda, Aprilia and we do not want these systems.”
To the displeasure of the reform advocates, however, Ducati is standing up to them. With their successful development work in the past years, the Italians had gained an engineering advantage with massive use of resources – an advantage that they are now reluctant to give up. The chances of unanimity within the MSMA are therefore slim.
At least a first step was decided some time ago. Front ride height devices will be banned from 2023. For the advocates of reform, this is at least a first step away from the supposedly large equalizers, which are seen by various experts as the main reason for the continuously shrinking number of overtaking maneuvers.
Only time will tell whether further changes will be made in the 2027 season or possibly even before the end of the 2026 regulatory period.
