MotoGP has introduced a significant new electronic update to the championship, with the latest ECU featuring a stability control function.
While traction control has been in place since the unified ECU software was introduced in 2016, it will now be joined by stability control.
The system measures additional parameters such as the degree of sideways movement relative to forward momentum and lean angle, before deciding whether to reduce torque.
One of traction control’s limitations has been correctly managing wheelspin at high lean angles, which can lead to issues that result in a highside.
MotoGP.com reported that “most if not all teams” will be using the new ECU update in Austria.
“MotoGP is committed to increasing the safety of the sport,” the championship revealed.
“Development on the stability control system began to take another step forward in that mission, as it further decreases the likelihood of highside crashes.
“Thanks to the extensive collaboration between MotoGP, ECU supplier Marelli and the MSMA – the manufacturers’ association – the system can now make its debut this weekend.”
MotoGP field split over introduction of slide control systems
While the device is likely to help reduce the number of crashes, the MotoGP field was split over its introduction.
Jack Miller was among those who viewed the decision positively, saying it will help with issues suffered by riders over the years.
“That side spin issue has been there for years,” Miller said via Crash.net.
“The bike thinks you have the right amount of spin level for how fast you are going. But what it doesn’t work out is how sideways the bike is at that point.
“And it says ‘okay that’s too much spinning’, sort of shuts the gas on you immediately and that’s the worst thing you can possibly do in a big slide like that.”
Pedro Acosta who viewed the stability control introduction as negative, believing that “whenever aids are added, I think we have to go in the opposite direction.
“With the 2027 regulations, we started to remove devices and those kinds of things, and I think we should also start thinking about removing these types of aids from the bike,” Acosta said.
Marc Marquez also expressed a negative opinion of the electronics, suggesting it will be more difficult for a rider to make a difference on the bike.
“For me, it’s clear the more things you introduce on the bike, in this case electronics, the less difference the rider can make,” Marquez said.
“So I tested this new control in Aragon and also in Malaysia and it’s just easier to ride.
“You can be against [rely on] the control and the bike is doing everything, so as a rider, I don’t like it. If it’s safety or not, in the end, every manufacturer has a different point of view.”
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