Giacomo Agostini has welcomed MotoGP’s sweeping rule changes for 2027, saying they should help restore the balance between rider and machine.
MotoGP is running under the current technical regulations for the final time this year before introducing a completely new ruleset in 2027. The overhaul includes the removal of ride-height devices, tighter restrictions on aerodynamic wings and a reduction in engine capacity from 1000cc to 850cc.
Agostini has long been an advocate for such changes, with the 15-time world champion arguing that modern MotoGP has become too reliant on technology.
“I’ve been pushing for changes for some time,” he told Moto.it. “There is too much technology nowadays.”
Agostini believes the 2027 regulations will make riders more decisive in determining results – something he feels has been lost in recent years.
“I would like to see the riders play a bigger role again, and for victories to depend more on them than on the technology,” he said. “Today they press a button and the bike lowers itself. In the past, it was all in the wrist.
“I would make the rider more important, and I hope that with the new rules we go back in that direction.”
Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
A key aspect of the regulation changes is the reduction in aerodynamic influence, with smaller front wings expected to cut downforce – a move Agostini strongly supports.
“Wings belong on planes, not on motorcycles. They don’t belong on racing bikes,” he said.
The Italian also hopes the switch to 850cc engines will reduce overall power and improve racing.
“When I raced against Mike Hailwood, Phil Read, John Surtees and Renzo Pasolini, we had 100 to 150 horsepower and still put on a great show,” he said.
“More power only puts stress on the chassis, the rider’s arms, the brakes and the tyres. Nowadays they have to manage everything just to reach the finish with the tyres intact.
“But what we want to see is a rider giving everything – not someone riding to a target. The fans want to see a rider doing things that not everyone can do.”
Agostini added that the reduction in engine capacity is unlikely to matter to spectators, but could have a positive impact on racing dynamics.
“850 or 1000cc? For the public it makes no difference – nobody is watching the engine capacity,” he said. “But with 850cc, you reduce the power, and that’s exactly what we want.
“We’ll see riders able to push flat-out from the start without worrying about tyre management. Even the brakes will benefit. I was just speaking about it with Brembo, and even they are at the limit nowadays.”
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