Starting in 2027, Pirelli MotoGP tyres will feature distinct, colour-coded sidewall stripes for each compound, mirroring the visual identification system used in Formula 1.
This tyre colour-coding marks a visual milestone as Pirelli officially takes the reins as MotoGP’s sole tyre supplier, succeeding Michelin, which has held the premier class contract since 2016.
The supplier transition coincides with a monumental regulatory overhaul for the 2027 season, introducing 850cc engines, banning ride-height devices, restricting aerodynamic development, and mandating 100% non-fossil fuel.
Having supplied the Moto3 and Moto2 categories since 2024, Pirelli began development for the premier class in earnest after the announcement in March 2025. The Italian firm delivered its initial batch of tyres to the five manufacturers—Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, Honda, and Yamaha—at the close of 2025.
Following initial feedback from the teams, Pirelli continued refining its range and delivered a second shipment of 80 tyres per manufacturer at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez earlier this year.
Now, four months later, Pirelli has transported another 400 tyres to MotorLand for this weekend’s Aragon Grand Prix. Each manufacturer will receive 80 tyres to finalize their private testing programs before the first official pre-season test in Valencia on December 1.
Pirelli tires
Photo by: Motorsport.com
F1-like colours
The primary highlight of this latest batch is the introduction of coloured markings on the sidewalls, modeled after Pirelli’s iconic Formula 1 colour scheme. Each tyre compound—soft, medium, and hard—along with the specific types for dry, wet, and intermediate conditions, will be clearly identified by a dedicated colour code.
In Formula 1, red identifies soft compounds, yellow denotes medium, and white signifies hard compounds, with blue lines marking full wet tyres and green indicating intermediates. This colour system will make a return to MotoGP, as the intermediate compound is being reintroduced to the grid after Michelin phased it out in 2017.
The tyres distributed this weekend at MotorLand are exclusively allocated for the factory teams, which have so far been the only ones to evaluate Pirelli’s compounds in private testing sessions, including an official run at Brno on June 22.
An additional test is scheduled for Austria on September 21, opening the doors to all teams. Satellite outfits will receive their tyre allocations through their respective manufacturers.
At the official post-season test in Valencia, Pirelli will equip every MotoGP team with the full range of 2027-spec tyres for comprehensive track evaluation.