Changes in regulations are almost always a source of conflict between manufacturers in the MotoGP. This is logical, because each defends its own interests based on the situation it faces at a given time.
Next week, at the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the Grand Prix Commission plans to approve the introduction of the engine freeze, a measure that will be implemented in 2025 and maintained for 2026. Under the previous framework, teams homologated their engines before the first race of the calendar, and could not touch them until the last race.
With this modification, the specifications sealed in the run-up to the season-opening Thai Grand Prix on 2 March will have to be used until the end of the following year (2026). Those constructors who enjoy concessions, Yamaha and Honda, will continue to be exempt from this limitation.
On paper, this change is being introduced under the pretext of cost containment. The ruling bodies believe the freeze will encourage brands to focus their attention and development budgets on the shake-up that will take place in 2027, when the new technical regulations come into force. However, there are also those who point out that this decree hides an obvious contradiction and benefits some more than others.
To reach this point, several MSMA meetings have taken place and some of them have been quite tense. The most recent one, which took place last Thursday at the Misano circuit, was the most accurate reflection of the circumstances of each of the companies involved in MotoGP. Of all of them, the most favourable positions are those of Yamaha and Ducati, two very different realities which converge in this matter.
On the one hand, Yamaha benefits from the freeze as long as it is allowed to continue to enjoy the concessions. That will make it possible for it to develop its first four-cylinder, V-twin engine of the MotoGP era.
Yamaha will still be allowed concessions under the freeze, with major engine developments planned
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
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