MotoGP’s Grand Prix Commission confirmed that front holeshot devices – the lowering systems that help riders accelerate off the line – will be removed from the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen, an early rollout intended to boost safety after first‑corner incidents in Catalunya and at Balaton Park. The devices, which lower the front wheel to reduce wheelies, require hard braking to disengage and can surprise riders following closely behind.
From the German Grand Prix in mid‑July, the starting grid will feature a larger vertical gap between rows, expanding from three metres to four metres and stretching each three‑rider row from nine to twelve metres. The 3‑by‑3 formation stays the same, but the wider spacing puts extra pressure on qualifying performance.
A further rule change slated for 2028 limits each manufacturer to a maximum of six MotoGP machines, meaning a brand can field at most two satellite teams in addition to its factory squad, provided at least five manufacturers remain in the championship. Ducati is currently the only constructor with six bikes on the grid. Together, the measures aim to tighten safety standards and preserve competitive balance as the series evolves.
