Dani Pedrosa, KTM test rider and three-time world champion, took stock on the development of the MotoGP 2027 project in an interview with motorsport, dwelling on the engine, tires, and new regulations.
"So far, everything is proceeding according to the schedule that KTM has set for the new bike," he explained. A positive sign is already coming from the 2027 engine, which completed its first bench tests "without any problems".
Instead, the track debut remains to be defined. Pedrosa clarified that KTM wants to test the new bike directly with the Pirelli tires planned for 2027, "because it simply makes more sense", although no official test plan exists right now. "We're not in a hurry but, of course, we don't want to stretch the time out much," he added, emphasizing how crucial adaptating to the tires is.
Armed with experience from Michelin-Bridgestone transitions and vice versa, Pedrosa warned, "It's something very radical. The impact will depend on how different they are because a tire change can deeply affect chassis, riding style, braking, and throttle management."
The Moto3 and Moto2 are examples that confirm the extent of the change. "We've seen lap times improve, but teams have had to modify the chassis and riders had to adapt." This is a real "process" in which some bikes might work right away, while others risk ending up "completely out of the game."
Pedrosa already tested the new Pirellis at Misano but he couldnt' go into detail about it. "I'm not authorized to reveal anything. It's in the contract."
Freer to comment on the 2027 regulatory changes, the Catalan promoted the direction that has been taken: reducing aerodynamics and stopping holeshots and height systems. "Yes, I think it's important," he said. "The new rules will give more control back to the riders and make the starts less predictable. Today, they're quite predictable." With the new scenario, he concluded that, "more positions can be made up. This reopens the battle on the track."