MotoGP make series of rules changes with immediate effect

Since acquiring a majority share in MotoGP last year, Liberty Media have been quick to assert their authority on the sport with a view to making it more similar to Formula 1. The changes have been met with a mixed reaction from fans and riders alike, and now, six new rules have been publicized, some of which will take effect immediately.

The most striking of the rule changes is the banning of wildcard riders from 2027 onwards - a move which will see and end to the likes of Dani Pedrosa and Aleix Espargaro on the grid as MotoGP looks to implement an F1-style reserve rider system instead.

Wildcards are certainly a popular aspect of MotoGP which can add unpredictability to race days. Troy Bayliss famously won the 2006 Valencian Grand Prix as a Ducati wildcard, and more recently Pedrosa picked up a dramatic sprint podium at the 2024 Jerez Grand Prix as a wildcard for KTM.

Additionally, wildcards will not be able to test out the new 850cc bikes ahead of next year's regulation overhaul, a process which is already well underway for all the teams on the grid.

On top of the wildcard rider changes, an adjustment to start procedure delays is also set to take effect immediately. If a race start is delayed, the countdown to the warm-up lap will now begin at 5 minutes rather than 3.

Another decision which may not go down particularly well with fans is the continuation of the current Tyre Pressure Monitoring system. Next year, manufacturers will be required to use Pirelli tyres rather than the current Michelins, but bikes could still end up being disqualified for similar tyre infringements that we have seen in the past.

Finally, heartrate monitors are permitted in Moto2 and Moto3 with immediate effect, which will certainly hope both from a safety perspective but also with regard to training and data.