Casey Stoner Critiques 2027 MotoGP Rules: Ducati’s Advantage and the Lost Art of Riding

Casey Stoner suggests Ducati will benefit from the MotoGP 2027 regulations

“They will find themselves even further ahead than they currently are.”

There is a widespread hope that the 2027 MotoGP regulations will tackle, at least partially, the issues plaguing the championship, yet Casey Stoner remains significantly skeptical.

Stoner, the champion who brought Ducati their initial MotoGP victory in 2007, believes that with the introduction of the new rules, the Italian team will maintain a competitive edge.

"Stoner mentioned that, in his view, Ducati is essentially aiming to have those regulations reintroduced," he told Neil Hodgson during an appearance on the Ducati Diaries podcast.

"I believe they are aware that they will benefit from that scenario. Consider this: if you already possess significant power — and currently, everyone does, yet Ducati maintains a remarkable distinction — the disparity will only widen with a shift to a smaller engine."

"They believe that disparity will only grow wider than it currently is."

Ducati's possibility of maintaining its dominance, having secured victories in 10 out of the first 11 races of 2024, is not the sole worry for Stoner.

"The braking areas will become smaller, and as they do, there will be fewer chances for overtaking," he mentioned.

Moreover, there's a possibility that the speed around corners could increase, potentially leading to fewer passing opportunities. This is because, unlike smaller classes such as 125cc, 250cc, or Moto3, where the power differential is less pronounced, the significant power in this class still causes gaps to form on acceleration. However, I believe this will result in a narrowing of chances to overtake.

"They've taken appropriate actions with certain elements being eliminated, like the ride height mechanisms, but the remainder falls significantly short of the necessary standards."

Stoner's primary issue with the proposed 2027 MotoGP regulations is that he believes they fail to tackle what he considers to be a fundamental problem with the existing rules – the overcomplication of technology.

"The two-time MotoGP World Champion expressed, "To me, they resemble Formula 1 cars on two wheels," highlighting the presence of traction control, wheelie control, and other features not found in Formula 1.

"I get that bicycles must move ahead to some extent, technically speaking, but there comes a time when it has to come to a halt."

According to Stoner, the progress in technology makes it more challenging for riders to demonstrate their skills.

"I'm eager to witness the skill of these riders. My desire is to observe a slow-motion capture, focusing not on flexing winglets but rather on the riders skillfully sliding, managing wheelies, and discovering traction in seemingly impossible places. That's the essence and the thrill of it all."

Stoner believes that motorcycles should be made harder to handle, rather than simpler.

"Individuals often voice their grievances about the excessive power of 450s in motocross and the overwhelming strength of MotoGP bikes, noting their size as well," he mentioned. "However, the essence is mastering the control of that immense power."

"People are discussing how effortless it is to cycle these electric bicycles. If that's the case, I'm not interested. My preference leans towards a challenging ride, not an easy one. It's the moment the traction fades and the ride becomes tough that truly showcases what individuals can achieve."

Currently, the focus of the championship isn't on displaying the skills of the riders, but rather on the engineers' efforts to minimize the riders' impact. Their goal appears to be creating a scenario where almost any rider could be placed in the competition and still manage to perform competitively.

"In essence, it boils down to a situation similar to that in Formula One, where the outcome is more about the car you're driving than the actual skill of the driver, or [when it comes to MotoGP] the skill of the rider. It's quite difficult for me to just observe this unfold, as I've noticed this trend developing.

"My hope is to witness the world's premier cyclists tackling the most challenging bicycles, not because they offer a simple ride. Far from desiring an easier experience for them, I wish for it to be more demanding, requiring them to push their limits to excel."

According to Stoner, when riders can't impact the race with their skill, it detracts from the overall quality of the competition.

Stoner drew parallels between the competitive dynamics in present-day MotoGP and the racing observed in AMA Supercross, noting that in the latter, physical contact is an inherent aspect of competing on narrow stadium circuits that offer few options for racing lines.

"Stoner mentioned that we are currently witnessing this type of racing in MotoGP, where riders spot an opportunity and seize it immediately."

"For me, it boils down to a fundamentally childish mindset, which is the desire to succeed by any means necessary."

"I despise that mindset. Really, if you pause to truly consider the implications of your words, or what someone is prepared to undertake, in my view, it represents the absolute nadir: essentially admitting, 'I lack the capability to succeed, so I'll resort to any means necessary to achieve my goals'."

Stoner acknowledged that sporadic interactions are inherent to racing, yet he commented, “when you deliberately enter a situation aiming to remove someone from the competition or carelessly risk colliding with another just to claim a section of the track — in my view, that represents a reckless approach to racing.

"Winning championships isn't just about being smart; firstly, it's crucial for success, and secondly, there's the risk of self-sabotage, a common occurrence among riders in AMA Supercross."

"However, the trend is beginning to emerge in MotoGP, and regrettably, many of these occurrences in MotoGP are due to issues with the motorcycles, including the complications arising from aerodynamics and winglets. The sole method for executing a pass now involves taking extreme risks during braking."

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