Casey Stoner has launched a fierce attack against the new MotoGP regulations, accusing the championship of ignoring the lessons that could have been learned from Formula 1. According to the two-time world champion, the sport is heading in the wrong direction, sacrificing spectacle and rider influence in favor of excessive engineering.
For Casey Stoner, MotoGP is now following a path similar to that of Formula 1 in previous decades, and the real loser in this process is the show on track. The Australian rider, who won the world title twice – first with Ducati in 2007 and later with Honda in 2011 – did not hold back in criticizing the evolution of the series. In a long interview with The Race, Stoner was openly critical of the approach MotoGP is taking with its future regulations, explaining that in his view the sport is becoming “a championship for engineers, not for riders,” pointing out mistakes that have been accumulating for years.
Although Casey Stoner retired from MotoGP at the end of the 2012 season, after seven years in the premier class, he has never stopped following the championship closely. Whether as a test rider or as an external observer, the insight of the Australian champion – widely considered one of the most talented riders of his generation – remains relevant and worthy of attention.
Highly critical of MotoGP’s new era, Stoner expressed his disapproval of the technical regulation changes set to come into effect in 2027. During the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, MotoGP’s commercial rights holder Dorna presented the introduction of “Stability Control,” a system designed to reduce the risk of dangerous highsides and improve safety. For Stoner, however, this is just another example of MotoGP repeating all the same mistakes that Formula 1 already made in the past.
Engineers more important than riders: Stoner slams MotoGP’s direction
Stoner explained that in his conversations with current riders, a worrying pattern has emerged. He noted that with engines now reaching 300 horsepower, riders can fully open the throttle without any real consequences, since the software and electronic aids take care of everything. According to him, this is a fundamental problem because the best riders in the world are now placed on machines that are too easy to ride, which removes much of the challenge and reduces their role in the performance equation. He recalled that even back in 2012, before his retirement, he already felt that riding had become less enjoyable because the motorcycles were taking control away from the riders.
He went on to question the logic behind these developments, arguing that the justification of safety is flawed. In his opinion, MotoGP has not become significantly safer in recent years. Stoner suggested that sometimes a crash such as a highside, even if it causes a minor injury or just a scare, can teach riders to be more careful and prudent. By contrast, when competitors can rely completely on electronic assistance without real consequences, it creates more dangerous situations. He stressed that braking is now the only area where riders can still make a real difference, and as a result, they are forced to push the absolute limits at every corner entry.
According to him, this has produced a scenario where maximum straight-line speeds keep increasing, while the margin of error under braking is reduced to almost nothing. This is why so many bikes are seen ending up in the barriers at the end of long straights. With the 2027 rules aiming to make motorcycles lighter, Stoner believes braking distances will only get shorter, further exacerbating the problem.
He also pointed out that aerodynamic wings remain a feature on MotoGP bikes, and that higher cornering speeds are likely to come with the next generation of machines. This, in turn, will generate more turbulent air behind the bikes, affecting stability and causing recurring issues with tire temperatures.
The comparison with Formula 1: “A championship for engineers”
For Casey Stoner, making motorcycles easier to ride only strengthens the influence of engineers and reduces the input of riders. He argued that race outcomes risk being dictated more by the technical sophistication of the machines than by the skill and sensitivity of those who ride them. In his words, “we are now creating champions among engineers rather than among riders.” He warned that MotoGP is entering an era that reflects the same errors Formula 1 once made.
Stoner stressed that MotoGP seems to be following a path shaped by all the difficulties that Formula 1 took years to overcome. Yet, he acknowledged that Formula 1 eventually managed to fix many of its problems, producing close racing and an exciting championship. Despite the cars being large and heavy, today Formula 1 is capable of delivering competitive and entertaining races. By contrast, MotoGP, in his eyes, is offering fewer close battles and less thrilling action than in the past.
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