Podcast Digs Into MotoGP's 850cc Shift and Surprising Pace
Mat Oxley and Peter use their podcast to examine the MotoGP test that followed the most recent race. They focus on the upcoming switch from 1000cc to 850cc engines and the surprising possibility that the new machines could be quicker by around a second. The episode also considers how tires, aerodynamics, weight, electronics, and rule changes contribute to lap time beyond engine output.
The Oxley Bom MotoGP Podcast episode "Way Too Fast, Way Too Furious" follows a Monday test held right after the previous Sunday's race. Hosts Mat Oxley and Peter examine the planned move from 1000cc to 850cc engines, intended to address safety and racing quality concerns, with limited time before Valencia and December pre-season testing.
Although the smaller-capacity bikes are meant to reduce speed, early indications suggest they could be about a second quicker. Exact lap times are not public. The hosts stress that lap time comes from a wider package: tires, aerodynamics, weight, electronics, regulations, and even new manufacturers.
The 850cc shift could affect MotoGP teams, riders, engineers, and fans, as development costs and safety calculations change. If the new bikes are faster, circuits and organizers may face pressure to adapt safety measures, while audiences may see different racing. The outcome may influence how the sport balances spectacle, danger, and technical innovation.