The 2026 MotoGP season will introduce an engine freeze ahead of the 2027 regulation changes.
The Grand Prix Commission has announced that there will be a freeze on MotoGP engine development. This freeze will be introduced for the 2026 MotoGP season before the new 2027 regulations come into play.
The new technical regulations for the 2027 season will see MotoGP engines reduced from 1000cc to 850cc. As well as the engine changes there will be changes to aerodynamics as well as a ban on all ride height devices.
The engine freeze will be introduced to MotoGP to allow manufacturers to keep costs down as they shift their focus to the 2027 season. The only manufacturers that will not be impacted by this shift are the ones that end up in concession group D for next season.
The current concession group D manufacturers are Yamaha and Honda as they have not reached the requirements to enter group C. This would allow the Japanese manufacturers to develop their engines in the 2026 season.
'Factories must use their 2025 engine designs'
The full statement from MotoGP reads: “Engine specification in MotoGP will be frozen for 2026, meaning factories must also use their 2025 engine designs the following season.
“The Grand Prix Commission approved the proposal in order to control costs and keep a level playing field as much as possible before MotoGP changes to new bikes in 2027. Those new bikes will make MotoGP safer, more sustainable and even more spectacular, and include completely new engine specifications.
“A freeze on development the season before keeps costs controlled for all, allowing factories to focus on their new designs for 2027. The sole exceptions to the freeze will be for safety or reliability, and for any manufacturers in concession Rank D.
“Corrections for safety or reliability, or proven non-availability of components, may be allowed for any manufacturer providing no performance increase will be gained.
“For factories in concession Rank D, the engine specification freeze will not apply unless they change rank. The spec for them will remain free as it is now, allowing those with a greater performance deficit to the top to continue working on key areas of their machinery.”
