MotoGP’s 2025 Engine Freeze Proposal: A Strategic Move Explained by Carlos Ezpeleta

Carlos Ezpeleta discusses the proposed engine freeze for MotoGP in 2025

"We believe it’s an excellent plan… We are optimistic that it will receive approval shortly."

In anticipation of the upcoming 850cc era in 2027, MotoGP has suggested that, starting next season, the 1,000cc engine specifications should be frozen for all manufacturers except those with the lowest concession rankings.

To put it differently, the engine configuration implemented at the start of the 2025 Thai Grand Prix on March 2 would be retained until the last race of the 2026 season.

Carlos Ezpeleta, the Chief Sporting Officer at Dorna, clarified that the decision is intended to prevent manufacturers from the dual burden of further developing their 1,000cc engines while also putting resources into the new 850cc project.

However, companies ranked in the lowest 'D' concession category, which presently includes Yamaha and Honda, will be granted special permission to keep making adjustments to their 1,000cc engines.

According to a report by TMCBlog.com, Ezpeleta mentioned that, as is common knowledge, the engine specifications are locked in at the first Grand Prix and must remain unchanged throughout the year for manufacturers without a concession, classified as ranking D.

"This idea would be similar, but it would be extended to cover both the 2025 and 2026 seasons."

Ezpeleta clarified that Dorna has put forward a suggestion, but it hasn't yet received the final go-ahead from the manufacturers. The proposed freeze would apply to those manufacturers not classified under rank D of the Concessions, which includes Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia.

"We believe this is an excellent plan. It’s a solid proposition to ensure that manufacturers can concentrate on developing the new engines and entirely new motorcycles for 2027. We are optimistic that it will receive approval shortly."

During the Covid pandemic, MotoGP implemented a two-year suspension on engine development for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Honda or Yamaha will exit concession ranking D if they achieve more than 35% of the total constructors' points possible during any of the two assessment periods in a season.

Yamaha has officially announced that it has initiated a V4 engine development project, in addition to its existing 1,000cc Inline4 engine, and is not delaying this advancement until the 850cc era begins in 2027.

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