MotoGP’s major regulation changes for 2027 will bring a different approach to qualifying and race preparation, but LCR team boss Lucio Cecchinello believes the revised format will create more strategic battles rather than chaos on track.
Cecchinello, who also serves as president of the teams’ association IRTA, explained that restrictions on tyre allocations will play a key role in shaping how teams approach the new qualifying sessions. Although having 22 riders competing for lap times in a short session could raise concerns about traffic and safety, he believes the rules will encourage teams to plan their runs more carefully.
Under the proposed format, Friday’s Sprint Qualifying session will last 15 minutes, with each rider limited to one set of tyres for the session. This differs from the current system, where teams can use multiple fresh sets during practice to improve their lap times and secure a place in qualifying.
With fewer tyres available, teams will have to decide when to send their riders onto the track and how to make the most of each run. Going out early could help riders avoid yellow flags or traffic later in the session, while waiting could provide an opportunity to benefit from improving track conditions.
“We will see strategies where teams are waiting before going out or deciding to go out immediately to avoid any potential risk of getting yellow flags,” Cecchinello explained.
The tyre restrictions will also affect Saturday’s Q1 and Q2 sessions, where the allocation will be reduced from four sets to three. Teams will therefore need to manage their resources carefully throughout the weekend, particularly when trying to secure one of the 10 available places in Q2 through Q1.
Beyond qualifying, the 2027 regulations will also remove the traditional Sunday morning warm-up session. It will be replaced by an extended period for sighting laps before riders head to the starting grid.
According to Cecchinello, the decision came from the teams themselves, who questioned the value of a session that often provides limited information about race conditions.
MotoGP’s tyres and other components are sensitive to temperature, meaning conditions during the early morning warm-up rarely match those experienced during an afternoon race. Cecchinello noted that a session starting at 9:40am often takes place in significantly different track temperatures, making it less useful for evaluating race performance.
Engineers found that the warm-up was mainly used for basic checks to ensure the bikes were functioning properly. Extending the sighting-lap period is therefore expected to provide a more practical way to confirm that everything is ready before the race begins.
With these changes, MotoGP’s 2027 season will demand greater attention to tyre management, timing and preparation. Rather than simply chasing the fastest lap, teams will need to make smarter decisions with the limited resources available, adding another tactical element to the championship.
