MotoGP 2025 engine freeze reshapes Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia strategies

Engine homologation for the 2025 MotoGP season locks in key performance decisions for Ducati, KTM, and Aprili.

Enea Bastianini of Italy and Red Bull KTM Tech 3 rides during the first day of the 2025 Thailand MotoGP pre-season test at Buriram International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, on February 12, 2025. Photo by Manan Vatsyayana/AFP

By Randy Ahmad and Yuni Utomo

The 2025 MotoGP season introduces a pivotal change with the freezing of engine developments for the next two years. Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia have finalized their engine homologations, marking the end of an intense phase of research and testing that will define the grid’s performance until 2027.

With the season set to begin, manufacturers were required to submit their engine specifications by February 27, a day before the opening practice session of the Thailand Grand Prix. This decision locks in each manufacturer’s engine for the next two seasons, preventing further modifications except for minor reliability updates. This regulation aims to level the playing field while reducing development costs.

KTM Technical Coordinator Sebastian Risse, in an interview with Speedweek, highlighted the complexity of the process. “Developing an engine for 2025 required significant effort, with countless configurations tested to optimize performance,” Risse said. The Austrian manufacturer relied on feedback from its four riders—Pedro Acosta, Brad Binder, Enea Bastianini, and Maverick Viñales—to refine its final selection.

Ducati and KTM stick with proven engines

Ducati made a crucial decision to homologate its 2024 engine rather than introduce a new version for 2025. Factory riders Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez opted to continue with the previous year’s configuration, deeming it superior in terms of stability and overall performance. KTM is following a similar strategy, keeping their existing engine philosophy intact rather than introducing a drastic redesign.

“We have no intention of rethinking our engine philosophy at the moment,” Risse stated. The team’s focus remains on optimizing existing strengths rather than taking unnecessary risks with unproven modifications.

Technical director to oversee sealing process

On February 26, before homologation took effect, all manufacturers were required to seal their race engines under the supervision of MotoGP technical director Danny Aldridge. This measure ensures compliance with the regulations and prevents mid-season modifications. Any engine used in competition must match the sealed version, reinforcing transparency within the championship.

Additionally, manufacturers with multiple teams, like KTM, have the option to homologate up to three configurations, based on their customer teams' requirements. This allows for a degree of flexibility while maintaining regulatory fairness.

Regulatory changes shape the future of MotoGP

The decision to freeze engines until 2027 aligns with MotoGP’s broader push for cost control and competitive balance. With new regulations reducing engine displacement in 2027, manufacturers must carefully navigate the next two seasons while preparing for the upcoming overhaul.

As the grid prepares for the first race in Thailand, the impact of these homologation choices will soon become evident. Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia have placed their bets, and the coming months will determine whether their strategies pay off in the quest for MotoGP supremacy.

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