FIM wants to ban winglets: the looming Ducati–Aprilia clash

After the official MotoGP tests held a week ago in Valencia, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) is considering the possibility of making changes to the 2026 bikes. Only the unanimous ratification of the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association (MSMA) is missing before they can take effect. However, some discontent is brewing among manufacturers during this winter break...

The FIM wants to propose a ban on mounting winglets on both sides of the rider’s seat, starting in 2026. In recent times, they have appeared on the Aprilia RS-GP and the Honda RC213V, both on a strong upward trend at the end of the MotoGP season. It is true that we have seen rear wings detach on all bikes during races due to contacts or crashes. Hence the hypothesis that the Federation wants to ban them for safety reasons. Rumors are circulating that Ducati, previously penalized for very similar reasons, may have invoked the safety issue, concerned about Aprilia’s progress. However, these reports have not been confirmed.

It is important that this possible change to the MotoGP regulations be officially announced as soon as possible, even though we are already late. Teams have several months until the next official test to start making changes to the 2026 prototypes. It is noteworthy that the notice, anticipated by the Motorsport website, has only just arrived, with the World Championship over, and not during the season. All manufacturers have already been working for months on the new bikes, and a potential FIM decision could cause some problems for the manufacturers. It would have been better if the ban had been announced during the Misano test, allowing other solutions to be tried in Valencia.

The real regulatory revolution will arrive in 2027, with a totally redesigned MotoGP and aerodynamics almost reset. But if the FIM were to implement this small modification to the winglets for 2026, each manufacturer would have to invest more money right away. The ban doesn’t just concern removing the seat winglets, but also the overall aerodynamic balance of the motorcycles, since the airflow that hits the wings and is generated at the front would need to be redesigned. With the risk of exceeding the budget planned for next season. All that remains is to wait for official news.