Piero Taramasso, Michelin’s motorsport boss, has confirmed that MotoGP’s decision to have a sole tyre supplier across all classes from 2027 was “not an option” for the French brand.
MotoGP announced on March 6 that Pirelli will become the exclusive tyre supplier for the championship starting in 2027, unifying tyre usage across all classes, including Moto2 and Moto3, where Pirelli is already the sole provider. Michelin, which has supplied MotoGP since 2016, was unwilling to commit to this structure in contract renewal discussions.
“After months of discussions regarding the extension of our MotoGP contract beyond 2026, Dorna Sports decided to select a sole tyre supplier for all categories,” Taramasso stated. “This includes MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, MotoE, and series like the Rookies Cup and Talent Cup. Unfortunately, this was not an option for Michelin, as we have always prioritised MotoGP and MotoE.”
He emphasized Michelin’s commitment to MotoGP as a platform for innovation and performance testing:
“MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, allowing us to develop expertise, gather data, and set records alongside manufacturers and top riders. While we respect Dorna’s decision, we remain focused on supplying MotoGP and MotoE through 2025 and 2026.”
Pirelli’s expansion into MotoGP follows its takeover of Moto2 and Moto3 supply from Dunlop last year. The Italian brand, which is also the sole tyre supplier for World Superbike (WorldSBK) and Formula 1 until at least 2026 and 2027, respectively, now faces questions about how its MotoGP commitment will impact its other motorsport programs.
