The Gran Prix Commission (Dorna, IRTA, FIM, MSMA) met in Barcelona today and have released a series of technical details regarding the return of MotoGP to the 1000cc displacement.
We already know about the displacement, the number of cylinders, the 81mm maximum bore and it has been officially confirmed that the existing 800cc bikes will be allowed to race alongside the new 1000cc prototypes (something similar to what happened when the 500cc two strokes were phased out) .
The new 1000cc machines will carry an extra 3 kilos, from 150kg to 153kg, while the 800cc’s will remain the same, as will the six engine per season rule and the 21 liter tank capacity for both displacements.
More interesting is that the Commission has come up with the Claiming Rules Team (CRT) which according to the FIM will be defined in May, but it has already been outlined that private teams will be permitted to use 12 engines and a 24 liter fuel tank.
The CRT is probably another step to cut operating costs for private teams and fatten up the grid with eventual newcomers (FB Corse, Inmotec or Aprilia and BMW) to the championship, but until May does come around we’ll probably reading some pretty good theories around.
You can read the press release here.