MotoGP: What did we learn from Pirelli's first 2027 MotoGP tyre test?

Pirelli has taken another major step toward its debut as MotoGP’s sole tyre supplier in 2027, completing a full day of testing at the Autodrom Brno with the participation of all five manufacturers and, for the first time, a selection of contracted premier‑class riders.

The session marks a key milestone in the development of the new tyre range designed for the upcoming 850 cc era, which will introduce sweeping technical changes across the championship.

The Italian manufacturer, which will replace Michelin at the end of the current season, brought a wide range of prototype tyres to the Czech circuit.

Each manufacturer fielded two bikes—either early 850 cc prototypes or current machines detuned and modified to replicate the 2027 configuration. Pirelli required every factory to nominate at least one race rider, supported by one or two test riders on the second bike, to ensure a broad spectrum of feedback.

A high‑profile roster took part in the test, including Marc Márquez and Fermín Aldeguer for Ducati, Marco Bezzecchi and Raúl Fernández for Aprilia, Luca Marini and Joan Mir for Honda, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu for Yamaha, and Pedro Acosta for KTM.

They were joined by experienced test riders Daniel Pedrosa and Pol Espargaró for KTM, and Augusto Fernández for Yamaha. Their presence allowed Pirelli to compare data from previous private sessions with real‑world feedback at full MotoGP performance levels.

The test ran under mostly sunny skies in the morning before cloud cover increased in the afternoon, with air and track temperatures closely mirroring those of a typical race weekend.

Manufacturers followed run plans agreed in advance with Pirelli and IRTA, with each bike assigned a different programme to maximise data collection.

Several riders completed Sprint simulations and full race‑distance runs, providing crucial information on tyre behaviour, degradation, and consistency.

Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director Giorgio Barbier praised both the quality of the feedback and the collaborative spirit of the paddock. “The overall test outcome was positive, both in terms of feedback quality and constructive contribution made by riders and Manufacturers.

"All developments are progressing according to plan,” he said. Barbier emphasised the importance of integrating contracted riders into the process, noting that their input adds a vital layer of performance‑level insight to the data gathered so far from test riders alone.

The Brno session was the first of three tests scheduled this season involving race riders. The next will take place on the Monday following the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, with the final outing set for the Tuesday after the season finale in Valencia. These, along with additional private tests, will shape the final specification of the 2027 tyre range.

Pirelli’s MotoGP journey began last year at Misano, where the first post‑race test laid the foundation for ongoing development. Since then, numerous private sessions have refined the prototypes evaluated at Brno.

The transition to 850 cc engines in 2027—along with major changes to aerodynamics, bike geometry, and the elimination of front and rear ride‑height devices—makes tyre development a central pillar of MotoGP’s next technical era.