The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has officially announced a two-year engine freeze for the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP seasons. This strategic decision is aimed at limiting development costs and allowing manufacturers to shift their focus towards preparing for the new set of regulations that will take effect in 2027.
The freeze, which has been unanimously agreed upon by all manufacturers, will prevent any modifications to engine designs for two consecutive seasons. According to the announcement, each team must submit their homologated engines at the 2025 Thai Grand Prix—MotoGP’s first race of the season—and these engines will remain sealed and identical for the entire year. In addition, each team will be allocated only eight engines for the entire season, imposing further challenges on reliability and strategy.
Notably, Honda and Yamaha, which currently benefit from concessions due to underwhelming performances in recent seasons, are exempt from the freeze. These two manufacturers can continue developing their engines throughout the period, unless a dramatic improvement in their results during the final rounds of the current season leads to a change in their concession status.
The upcoming engine freeze echoes a similar strategy employed during the 2020 and 2021 seasons when FIM implemented restrictions to curb spending during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, Yamaha faced controversy after seeking permission to modify the engines of Valentino Rossi and Maverick Vinales due to valve-related issues. This move stirred tension within the Manufacturers’ Association (MSMA) and highlighted the complexities involved in managing technical regulations.
The freeze aligns with the sport’s broader objective of controlling operational costs and promoting parity among competitors. The FIM’s statement emphasized that manufacturers must use their 2025 engine specifications for the following season, ensuring continuity and fairness. However, the statement also allows room for adjustments related to safety or reliability issues, provided that these changes do not result in performance gains. “Certain allowances may be made concerning corrections for safety or reliability, or proven nonavailability of components, providing no performance increase will be gained,” the FIM clarified.
Looking ahead to 2027, the MotoGP technical landscape will undergo significant transformations. The existing 1000cc engine formula will be replaced by a new 850cc configuration, alongside stringent limitations on aerodynamic components and the near elimination of ride-height adjusters, except those used for race starts. These changes mark a shift towards more sustainable racing, curbing excessive spending, and improving the balance between performance and competition.
The engine freeze has garnered mixed reactions across the MotoGP paddock. While some teams view it as an opportunity to stabilize development budgets and enhance parity, others express concern over the constraints it places on innovation and competitiveness. Additionally, private teams will be subject to the same restrictions as factory teams, raising questions about how the freeze might impact their ability to compete at the highest level.
Ultimately, this move underscores the FIM’s commitment to managing costs and ensuring a level playing field as MotoGP enters a new era. With only two seasons remaining under the current technical framework, manufacturers now have a limited window to prepare their bikes for the forthcoming changes in 2027. The engine freeze may prove to be a pivotal moment, as teams navigate the challenges of maintaining reliability while preparing for a new generation of MotoGP competition.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on the Thai Grand Prix, where the homologated engines will debut. With the upcoming technical shift and the restrictions already in place, fans can expect the next two seasons to be a fascinating test of strategy, engineering ingenuity, and resilience in the ever-evolving world of MotoGP.
