Michelin will finish its MotoGP exclusive tire supply agreement at the end of 2026 as Pirelli becomes the new supplier from 2027 until 2031. The Italian manufacturer Pirelli has expanded its two-wheeled racing world through the supply of tyres to Moto2 and Moto3 since last year while maintaining their association with the World Superbike Championship since 2004.
After regaining its place as the sole provider in 2016 Michelin has maintained undisputed control of the market. Prior to the 2027 technical regulation modifications the French company had diligently developed new compounds yet their announcement taken most people by surprise. The extensive presence of Pirelli in premier motorsport categories including its Formula 1 tire supplier role since 2011 establishes the change as an obvious development for both Dorna and the main stakeholders of the sport.
The motorsport strategy of Pirelli is currently moving to support this new appointment. Pirelli made its decision to exit World Rally Championship after 2024 yet added MotoGP to secure itself at top level motorsport. The manufacturer currently delivers tyres to the MotoE series which means it will be present in every tier of Grand Prix motorcycle racing from the bottom to the top.
The decision for Michelin to leave proves predictable considering the present controversies related to its competition involvement. The French company has continuously received team and rider criticism even though its product developments brought better grip and performance to the table during recent years. The crash experienced by Marc Marquez at the 2022 Indonesian Grand Prix reached its peak when Honda blamed Michelin for selecting the wrong tyres that led to the highside incident. Jorge Martin nearly lost his spot in the opening championship rounds when he suffered a Sepang pre-season testing crash that became a fresh warning signal about tyre functionality. The runner-up finisher from last season Martin planted doubt on Michelin’s performance consistency as a reason he lost the championship.
This change suggests a new direction for global motorsports because Michelin decided to exit important championships. The company switched its Formula E tyre supply partnership to Hankook in 2022 while maintaining its grip on endurance racing through IMSA SportsCar Championship and the World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class commitments.
MotoGP is now starting its next story because Pirelli became its official supplier. WorldSBK serves as valuable reference for the manufacturer as they have supplied tyres since 2004 indicating a potentially different approach might emerge. Pirelli implements a standard allocation method instead of Michelin’s strategy which provides different compounds for various circuits. The upcoming technical regulations will shape MotoGP while Pirelli’s entry as a tire supplier awaits its translation point.
The upcoming transition in MotoGP requires Pirelli to adjust their tire requirements for MotoGP machinery while people observe if the brand brings improved stability or creates new performance challenges.
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