MotoGP promoter Dorna is planning a radical transformation of the Moto3 class from 2027 onwards, according to The Race’s sources in the paddock, with the series set to move from the current 250cc prototype machines supplied by competing manufacturers to a one-make series using larger 500cc engines.
The move away from the current Honda and KTM prototype machines and to a spec bike (potentially even one based on a production machine) is Dorna’s response to Moto3’s rising costs - something that has become more and more of an issue of late as the MotoGP calendar aggressively expands outside Europe.
The move away from the traditional European races (where much of the series’ logistics are conducted by truck) and towards new races in places such as Indonesia, Argentina and India has dramatically increased costs for the championship’s smaller teams.
And, with Moto3 receiving much less of the financial assistance from Dorna that satellite MotoGP teams enjoy, the calendar changes have consistently increased the amount needed to run a lightweight class team into the millions of euros.
Machinery cost is currently fixed by the Moto3 rules, with both KTM and Honda supplying both factory and customer machinery up to a price cap of €85,000 for a complete chassis and €60,000 for their six-engine season package - costs that organisers want to cut in two under the new rules.
However, it seems that Dorna wants to cut that cost further by switching to a one-make series that potentially even uses roadgoing machines - something that’s already been partly done in middleweight class Moto2 with its Triumph 765cc engines, albeit in custom racing chassis built specifically for them.
It’s believed by The Race’s sources that the prime candidate to take over the sole production of the series was set to be KTM, but as the scale of its financial issues has become apparent, it has now pulled its hat out of the ring amid redundancies from its current Moto3 engineering team.
That also throws some doubt on KTM’s continuing involvement in Moto3 as a whole even before the new rules come into effect in 2027 (or potentially one year later in 2028, depending on negotiations), with the cost caps set in 2021 and not adjusted since meaning that its programme is now running at a loss rather than its previous revenue-neutral status.
KTM’s ongoing problems have left current rival Moto3 manufacturer Honda looking like the most likely candidate to step into the new spec class alongside its current European Moto3 engine servicing partner Geo Engineering.
Honda has some experience with the format, too, having previously supplied CBR600 engines for Moto2 following its switch away from 250cc two-strokes and prior to Triumph taking over.
However, there have also been some hints that there might be interest from unexpected manufacturers, too, with Chinese factory CFMoto, which won the 2024 Moto3 title with David Alonso and a rebadged KTM machine, believed to be interested in a more substantial entry into grand prix racing.
Moto3 moving away from the current 250cc single-cylinder four strokes to 500cc twins is something that many in the MotoGP paddock have been calling for for years, in an attempt to both improve safety and demand more of rider skill.
Currently, the low capacity 60 horsepower machines favour riders able to hack their way through close pack races in the closing laps rather than outright talent, something that has led to a number of Moto3 champions in recent years who’ve found themselves wholly unable to progress further than the back of the Moto2 grid.
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The close pack nature of the racing has also substantially increased risk, with most serious injuries now coming when a rider is struck by another machine, a situation that has long prompted calls for more powerful bikes that allow the grid to spread out somewhat.
While the intention is to introduce the new Moto3 rules from 2027, that might yet be delayed, given that MotoGP is also set to undergo a radical rule shake up at the same time that will feature the introduction of new 850cc bikes whose aims include improving safety by reducing speeds.
