2027 MotoGP rule change ‘very beneficial’ to Yamaha’s Inline 4 engine

The 2027 MotoGP season will bring significant technical changes that promise to benefit Yamaha. The reduction in engine capacity from 1000cc to 850cc, combined with a smaller cylinder diameter, is seen as a significant advantage for the four-cylinder engine in the Yamaha range. MotoGP technical journalist Neil Spalding has his views on the new rules at OMG! MotoGP.

Spalding explained that the new technical rules reduce every major aspect by 10%, creating a more balanced and fair environment. “If you look at the new rules, every important technical aspect has been reduced by 10%. I completely agree with that. It was very well done. I think it’s a very elegant regulation,” he said.

For manufacturers using V engines, such as rivals Yamaha, the change will allow them to build engines that are 12mm narrower, a difference of 6mm per cylinder. However, Spalding believes that many manufacturers will not make significant changes, opting to simply fit pistons into older engine blocks. Yamaha, with its inline four-cylinder engine, will be able to reduce the width of the engine by approximately 25 mm, which will offer a number of advantages.

“Yamaha has problems because it’s an inline-four and it’s ‘too wide’. But now they can reduce the width of the engine by about 25mm. This means the bike will be able to turn faster, because it’s less bulky, Spalding explained.

In addition, reducing the width of the engine will also allow for better cooling of the radiators. In the past, the proximity of the front tire to the radiator, especially with Michelin tires, generated a lot of heat, making proper cooling difficult. “There were a couple of races where Rossi was desperate to catch up and get some fresh air in front of the bike in front of him,” Spalding recalled. With the new engine configuration in 2027, there will be more room for air flow, which significantly improves the cooling of the Yamaha engine.

Spalding also foresees a major effort by Honda, another struggling Japanese manufacturer, to adapt to the new rules. He believes Honda will invest heavily to compete for the title in 2026, just like in 2006 and 2012.

The new 2027 rules not only provide an opportunity for Yamaha to improve its competition, but could also change the competitive landscape of MotoGP. The expectation is that these changes will provide more balanced and exciting racing, benefiting both drivers and fans of the sport.