Signs emerged that Yamaha will not give up on its signature three-wing front aero design ahead of the technical changes starting in the 2027 MotoGP season for the 850cc motorcycle. The Japanese manufacturer continues to develop the three-layer front wing design used on its current 1000cc M1 in the 850cc prototype.
New Aerodynamic Rules and Technical Changes
The technical regulations for the MotoGP starting in the 2027 season will reduce the engine capacity from 1000cc to 850cc. This will also significantly limit the aerodynamic freedom of the motorcycles. Under the new regulations, the maximum width of the upper section of the front fairing will be reduced from 600 mm to 550 mm. Furthermore, the maximum height of the rear section of the motorcycle will be reduced from 1250 mm to 1150 mm.
Yamaha's Aero Concept
Yamaha's aerodynamic development in the 2026 season shows the importance of the three-wing concept. The new V4 M1 initially raced with a box-wing type front wing, more similar to the solutions of rival manufacturers, at the start of the season. However, Yamaha reverted to the tri-plane design used on the previous four-cylinder M1. The Japanese manufacturer utilized its licensing level to implement another update on the front wing and the developed version continued to be used on the 1000cc V4 M1. The reappearance of the same design philosophy in the 850cc prototype indicates that Yamaha is ready to carry this aero concept into the new MotoGP era. The three-wing design in the 850cc prototype is smaller, and the ring-like section connecting the outer edges of the the current M1 is no longer present.
Changes in Rear Aerodynamics
The 2027 regulations will only affect the front of the motorcycle. Starting from the new season, all rear aerodynamic parts will have to be part of the Aero Body homologation. This will reduce manufacturers' freedom to change their rear aero package during the season. Manufacturers will only be able to make one rear aero update during the season, depending on their licensing status. The basic aerodynamic package determined by the factories before the season will carry much greater importance. Unlike the current system, manufacturers will only be able to make one rear aero update during the season, depending on their licensing status. While the tri-plane design is seen in Yamaha's prototype, it should not be forgotten that manufacturers' current solutions are not the final packages for 2027. For example, Ducati's last seen 850cc prototype has a single-layer front wing at this time. However, manufacturers are expected to keep their final aerodynamic designs secret until the final stages of winter testing to give as little information as possible to their rivals. Official homologation will take place at the start of the 2027 season in Thailand. Therefore, Yamaha's current 850cc prototype design is not the final solution. However, it is now clearer that the Japanese manufacturer is working to adapt the three-wing aero philosophy, which it has reverted to repeatedly throughout 2026, to the new MotoGP era.
Statements
The first signs emerged that Yamaha will not give up on its signature three-wing front aero design in the 2027 850cc MotoGP era.
The 850cc Yamaha prototype used by Augusto Fernandez showed a more compact version of the tri-plane concept adapted to the new aerodynamic regulations.
The Japanese manufacturer continues to develop the characteristic three-layer front wing design used on its current 1000cc M1 in the 850cc prototype.
The new prototype used by Augusto Fernandez features three separate wings on both sides of the nose. However, the wings are smaller compared to the current 1000cc design, and the section connecting the outer edges is removed.
The maximum width of the upper section of the front fairing will be reduced from 600 mm to 550 mm under the new regulations.
The maximum height of the rear section of the motorcycle will be reduced from 1250 mm to 1150 mm.
The foremost point of the front fairing will be moved back by 50 mm, and the area that the aerodynamic parts can cover will also be reduced.
The smaller tri-plane design seen in Yamaha's 850cc prototype appears shaped according to these new limits.
The new V4 M1 initially raced with a box-wing type front wing, more similar to the solutions of rival manufacturers, at the start of the season. However, Yamaha reverted to the tri-plane design used on the previous four-cylinder M1. The Japanese manufacturer then utilized its licensing level to implement another update on the front wing, and the developed version continued to be used on the 1000cc V4 M1. The reappearance of the same design philosophy in the 850cc prototype indicates that Yamaha is ready to carry this aero concept into the new MotoGP era.
Lower power, more limited aerodynamics.
All rear aerodynamic parts will have to be part of the Aero Body homologation starting from the new season. This will reduce manufacturers' freedom to change their rear aero package during the season. Manufacturers will only be able to make one rear aero update during the season, depending on their licensing status. The basic aerodynamic package determined by the factories before the the season will carry much greater importance.
While the tri-plane design is seen in Yamaha's prototype, it should not be forgotten that manufacturers' current solutions are not the final packages for 2027. For example, Ducati's last seen 850cc prototype has a single-layer front wing at this time. However, manufacturers are expected to keep their final aerodynamic designs secret until the final stages of winter testing. Official homologation will take place at the start of the 2027 season in Thailand. Therefore, Yamaha's current 850cc prototype design is not the final solution. However, it is now clearer that the Japanese manufacturer is working to adapt the three-wing aero philosophy, which it has reverted to repeatedly throughout 2026, to the new MotoGP era.
Figures
- Augusto Fernandez raced in 24th place with 6 points in the 2026 MotoGP season (Yamaha Factory Racing).
- Archive: The aerodynamics of the Yamaha 850 have become a more compact structure (September 22, 2026)
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Go to sourceCompiled by Şükrü Utku Poyraz
