'MotoGP move forward with controversial rule change slammed by riders'

The move to reduce the use of two bikes to one during practice first surfaced in May and drew intense criticism, with names as big as KTM’s Pedro Acosta slamming the idea.

Yet at the Hungarian Grand Prix, manufacturers moved closer to agreeing on the cost-saving idea, with more talks scheduled this week, motorsport.com reports. The Manufacturers’ Association (MSMA) held a meeting at the Balaton Circuit on Sunday and is now likely to press on with the move despite its unpopularity among the riders.

The proposed rule would be added to the 2027 regulations should it be approved by the Grand Prix Commission via a vote. From next season, riders would then only be allowed to use one bike during the weekend’s three practices.

The second bike - which is currently kept in the garage and used to compare new parts - would be left in the teams’ storage until qualifying and race sessions begin. That would mean that upgrades wouldn’t be easily comparable, while crashes could spell the end of a session for riders.

However, manufacturers will argue it’s a necessary change for cost-saving, with executives claiming teams could save around €1.5 million each by not having the extra bike staffed during practice.

Many don’t see the trade-off as beneficial, including Acosta, who will be getting used to a Ducati when the proposed rule change comes into effect in 2027, as he explained at a MotoGP press conference.

Acosta was joined in his dissent by Honda’s Luca Marini, although he was criticising the idea of the rule being used in qualifying, which currently isn’t on the table:

It’s also claimed by motorsport.com that shorter practice sessions are being pitched, as is a curfew to working hours and a limit to which team members can work on the bikes.

There is also a commercial concern to answer for new MotoGP owners Liberty Media, as fewer bikes means less exposure for sponsors. One less bike in the garage during practice would give less opportunity to photographers and camera operators to showcase new branding, while a crash and a missed session for a rider decreases the exposure even further.