Pirelli MotoGP Tyre Test at Red Bull Ring: 18 Riders Feature

Eighteen riders took to the Red Bull Ring on Monday for the second and final in-season Pirelli MotoGP tyre test open to race riders before the full 2027 grid gathers at Valencia. This test marks a crucial moment for Pirelli as they prepare to replace Michelin as the sole tyre supplier in the premier class next season.

A range of soft, medium and hard slick compounds were available as Pirelli continued development of the tyre range it will supply when it replaces Michelin in MotoGP next season. As well as the latest 850cc prototypes from all five manufacturers, some 'adapted' current-generation 1000cc bikes were also on track.

Of those present at June’s Czech outing, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Raul Fernandez, Pedro Acosta, Fermin Aldeguer, Marco Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez returned for the second test. Luca Marini and Joan Mir were absent, with their Honda places going to LCR duo Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira, both contracted for 2027.

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Also making Pirelli debuts were Jack Miller, Brad Binder and Franco Morbidelli, despite leaving MotoGP for WorldSBK next season. 2027 rookies Senna Agius and Izan Guevara were also present, along with Tech3’s Maverick Vinales, who was evaluating his injured shoulder ahead of a possible MotoGP return at Motegi. Test riders Takaaki Nakagami, Pol Espargaro, Lorenzo Savadori and Augusto Fernandez completed the 18-rider line-up.

Once again, the test was held behind closed doors, with no media present and no official timing, meaning it is unclear which riders used 850cc prototypes and which rode adapted 1000cc machines. However, for Pirelli, this was a vital step in preparing tyres for the new MotoGP era.

Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director Giorgio Barbier expressed his satisfaction: "Today’s session at the Red Bull Ring represents another step forward in the development of the Pirelli range for the 2027 FIM Grand Prix World Championship, when we will extend to the premier class the exclusive-supplier role we already successfully fulfil in Moto2 and Moto3."

He added, "Our development programme is wide-ranging and includes both collective tests, such as today’s session, and private development work carried out in close collaboration with the Manufacturers. It will culminate in the first official tests of 2027, scheduled to take place in Valencia in early December with all of next season’s race riders participating."

Barbier also revealed, "We are pleased with the outcome of the test in Austria. The riders, including several rookies who made a valuable contribution by bringing different riding approaches and perspectives, were able to evaluate soft, medium and hard compound slick solutions at both the front and rear, using prototype future 850cc machines in some cases and suitably adapted current-generation bikes in others. The feedback collected was positive overall and confirms the strong performance level of the solutions tested, particularly in terms of grip and stability. It has also provided us with valuable information to further refine the development programme and define the characteristics of the range we will make available next season with increasing precision."

With this test, Pirelli edges closer to being ready for the 2027 season, where they will be the sole tyre supplier in MotoGP. Meanwhile, riders and teams continue to gather valuable data for bike and tyre development. The Valencia test in December will be the final benchmark before the 2027 season kicks off.