Following on from the official announcement, Pirelli has revealed that its MotoGP tyres “will be different” to the compounds produced in the junior classes and WorldSBK.
It was announced that Italian tyre provider will be the official tyre supplier in the premier class from 2027, the start of the new regulation era.
Pirelli Moto Racing Director Giorgio Barbier didn’t reveal any details surrounding the tyres itself, but made it clear that their approach will be different for MotoGP.
“As per the announcement, we are still discussing important details we cannot reveal,” Barbier began to GPOne.
“So, I expect more discussions with the FIM, MSMA, and the manufactures, because we are still two years away from our debut.
“The motorcycles still have to be prepared, there are designs, but I have not seen the bikes yet, so it will have to be decided when we will take to the track, with what limits, with what riders and with what rules above all, which Dorna will have to set.
“For MotoGP [tyres will be different], we will have to build prototypes. Our approach will definitely be different than that of other manufacturers, with hyper specialised super prototypes, track by track.
“It will be a Pirelli approach, more industrial, qualitative and numerical. Consequently, the processes will be similar to the tyres we already supply, and the supply capacity will be different.”
Pirelli’s priority is to focus on ‘performance’
Barbier indicated that Pirelli’s point of focus is to maximise the tyre “performance.”
“In MotoGP, the cornering speeds and the dynamics would certainly be a challenge for the current Superbike tyres.
“At this point in time, there is no finished tyre design. I don’t know what the final design will look like, but we have to calmly ensure that every motorcycle manufacturer is able to develop reliably.
“Only then will we focus on performance, because for that we need time and tests to develop these tires.”
Producing the MotoGP won’t be a ‘huge effort’ amid monopoly fears
Pirelli operate in multiple racing series on both two and four wheels, including being Formula 1’s official tyre supplier since 2011.
It could be argued that the Italian brand’s placement in the pinnacle of four-wheeled motorsport, WorldSBK and now MotoGP means it is now a monopoly in all major racing series.
Barbier believes that its new MotoGP venture “is already very large” and wouldn’t take a “huge effort” considering the knowledge base it has so far in other motorbike racing series.
“I don’t think it will be a huge effort when you consider the number of riders, and considering the categories we already follow, from Superbike to BSB (British Superbikes) to Junior GP in Spain.
“The effort is already very large, but coming into MotoGP will be a real bath in the prototype world.
“When we entered last year in Moto2 and Moto3, we did it with tyres derived from Superbike, or at least tyres already on the market.”
READ MORE – MotoGP announces Pirelli as new tyre supplier from 2027
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