In 2027, new technical regulations will come into force in MotoGP, with 850cc engines, reduced aerodynamics, the removal of dynamic ride-height devices, and what everyone points to as the most significant change: Michelin will leave the championship, and Pirelli will become the new sole tyre supplier.
The Milan manufacturer held a test with its first prototypes in Misano last September, and in 2026 it will carry out new tests to finish defining the compounds it will produce for MotoGP. During the recent Valencia GP, Autosport sat down with Giorgio Barbier, racing director of Pirelli’s motorcycle division, the engineer leading the arrival of the Italian company in the premier class.
Q. What stage are you currently at in the MotoGP tyre creation process?
A. We’re in the initial phase, considering that we’re starting a new project with specific dimensions for MotoGP, which uses larger rims than WorldSBK. On the other hand, we need to manage very carefully the batches we’ll deliver to the different manufacturers, so they can carry out the relevant tests and develop the bikes throughout next season.
Q. A few months ago, a test was held in Misano. Another one was scheduled for Valencia, right after the last grand prix, but it didn’t take place.
A. The Misano test went very well, and I didn’t want to question it because it was carried out in perfect conditions: two days after the MotoGP race, with the same weather, and a rubbered track. The day before (Monday), they carried out the collective test (IRTA), so everything was perfect in terms of reference points. Arriving with our tyres mounted on the bikes as is, without being able to make many adjustments, provided good information for us, for the manufacturers, and for the teams. In this way, we established the benchmark we wanted to continue working with. Once the season is over, we can start testing the 850cc bikes, so from now on we needed to have tyres to deliver to the manufacturers that are ready to test the benchmark that worked well in Misano; that’s the tyre we’ll start with in the next tests.
Q. What will be the main advantage of the Pirelli tyre?
A. We still don’t know because it’s a championship with five manufacturers. But from the information we’ve received from riders who have moved from MotoGP to WorldSBK, they point to the front tyre as the strong point. Because of everything it communicates and its good feedback. It speaks to the rider; it allows them to understand track conditions and, consequently, gives them confidence. And that’s very important, because the front end is fundamental for riding.
Q. Will MotoGP tyres be similar to those used in SBK or Moto2?
A. It’s clear that our DNA is present in all of them, because the manufacturing process is the same. Therefore, regardless of size, the Pirelli spirit must remain intact, and we want it to stay that way, because it’s what keeps us connected to the market.
Gregorio Lavilla, WSBK, Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
Q. Before starting tyre production, did you speak with the riders to know what they expect from Pirelli
A. For the moment we haven’t spoken with them, because we have to respect the contract Dorna has with the current supplier. We don’t want to interfere in the season they still have left. We have our own idea although, obviously, we’ve spoken with the technicians and we’re in contact with the manufacturers’ engineers. We know the environment, we’ve known the paddock people for many years, and we have an idea of how we want to do things in the future.
Q. Will riders who already know Pirelli from Moto2 or WorldSBK have any advantage?
A. I have great respect for MotoGP riders. I think they won’t have major problems understanding a new tyre. What we’ve seen over the years with great riders like Carlos Checa, Troy Bayliss, Alex Barros or Max Biaggi, when they arrived in Superbikes, is that they understood the tyres immediately. Some won their first race very quickly, so I don’t see any major issue from that point of view. What is clear is that those who have more time and more opportunities to test our tyres throughout next year, those riders will have a slight advantage in 2027.
Q. In recent seasons in MotoGP, tyre value was measured in lap records. Will Pirelli continue in that direction?
A. This was a key point when we became the sole supplier in Superbikes; since there was no competition, how do I measure my development, my progress? First, I measure it by product quality; that is, that all riders have a similar product that adapts well to their bikes, regardless of the manufacturer. Then, we look at the records. If I improve every year, it means I’m doing a good job. So yes, we pay close attention to performance in this sense, and it remains an important indicator for us.
Q. What is more important for Pirelli: safety or records?
A. The most important thing at first will be ensuring that all manufacturers and riders work well with us, and that we feed back into each other. Understanding the needs, and establishing with Dorna what limits we want to set for this championship in terms of spectacle.
Q. Can you elaborate?
A. We have never sought concessions in terms of performance. In WorldSBK, improvements are important. It’s clear that in a world championship of this level, competition, specialisation and high performance are important. We can’t make tyres out of wood or iron to avoid problems. In Moto2 and Moto3, in two years, we have achieved great things—and always safely.
Q. Luca Marini said he doesn’t care whether Pirelli tyres are faster or slower, as long as they are always the same. Can this be guaranteed?
Pirelli
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
A. Quality is a fundamental element, and this is what we explained in detail to Dorna when we began discussing this project. In a company that mass-produces a standard product, in thousands of units, quality controls ensuring uniformity are essential. Although it’s possible for a defective tyre to appear, it’s unlikely that there would be a drift producing a large number of poor-quality units. The more units produced, the greater the guarantee of maintaining high levels of quality.
Q. Where will Pirelli MotoGP base its operations? Will you establish any synergy with Formula 1?
A. The offices are in Milan, at Pirelli’s headquarters, where the F1 division also has its base. F1 tyres come from another plant, but we’ll remain in Germany, where we manufacture all radial motorcycle tyres. The synergies mainly come from a working method we’re developing through our relationship with the manufacturers. They request data from us that we can provide, also based on our experience in F1, so there will be continuous exchange in that sense.
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– The Autosport.com Team
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