MotoGP wildcards axed from 2027 as 850 cc transition rules tighten

MotoGP Rule Updates

May 1, 2026

MotoGP wildcard appearances will disappear from the premier class from 2027, while 2026 wildcard riders have been ruled out from using the incoming 850 cc machinery ahead of the category’s next technical reset.

The Grand Prix Commission has confirmed a series of regulation changes for the FIM Grand Prix World Championship, with the biggest change being the removal of MotoGP wildcard entries from the 2027 season onwards.

The decision means manufacturers will no longer be able to field additional MotoGP riders outside their regular contracted race line-up, regardless of concession status. That is a significant change to the current framework, where factories have been able to use wildcard entries to give test riders race mileage, evaluate development parts in Grand Prix conditions, or provide selected riders with one-off starts.

Moto2 and Moto3 are unaffected by that change, with wildcards to remain permitted in the intermediate and lightweight classes.

2027 machinery rules out of wildcard appearances in 2026

The Commission has also moved immediately to close off any possibility of 2027-spec MotoGP machines appearing early under wildcard entries.

From now, MotoGP wildcard entries in 2026 are not permitted to run 2027-spec 850 cc machinery. That rule applies regardless of a manufacturer’s concession rank, ensuring that the final season of the current 1000 cc era is not used for race appearances by prototype 2027 machines.

That clarification is particularly relevant given the scale of the coming technical reset. MotoGP will move to 850 cc engines from 2027, with the transition expected to place major emphasis on aerodynamic, chassis, electronics and tyre development ahead of the new rules package.

Start Delayed procedure revised

There is also an immediate change to the MotoGP Start Delayed procedure.

When a Start Delayed is declared on the grid, the countdown to the Warm Up lap will now resume from the five-minute board rather than the three-minute board.

That gives teams, officials and riders a slightly longer formal window to work through the delayed-start process once the procedure is triggered, which should help bring the restart sequence into a more orderly and consistent framework.

Tyre pressure monitoring retained

The current MotoGP tyre pressure monitoring system will continue into the 2027 season.

That confirms the system will carry across into the new 850 cc era, rather than being treated as a regulation tied only to the current technical cycle. Tyre pressure monitoring has become a significant part of race strategy and compliance in recent seasons, particularly as riders and teams balance performance, front-tyre temperature, traffic and minimum-pressure requirements.

Heart-rate monitors permitted in Moto2 and Moto3

Moto2 and Moto3 riders are now officially permitted to use heart-rate monitors as an optional sensor.

The change applies immediately and gives teams and riders an approved path to gather physiological data during Grand Prix sessions. That information can be useful for training, rider workload analysis and understanding how stress, heat and fatigue correlate with on-track performance.

Further wording clarifications

The Commission has also applied wording clarifications relating to extra testing allowances for MotoGP riders returning from injury, along with MotoGP electronics homologation regulations concerning the IMU.

The decisions were made in March and April 2026 by the Grand Prix Commission, comprising representatives from the FIM, IRTA, MSMA and MotoGP. The detailed regulation wording will be incorporated into the regularly updated FIM Grand Prix Regulations.