Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

The data behind Russell’s engine software issue that caused his Hungarian GP slow start

Formula 1
Hungarian GP
The data behind Russell’s engine software issue that caused his Hungarian GP slow start

United Formula Ford battles add European flavour to USA Snetterton 300 event

National
United Formula Ford battles add European flavour to USA Snetterton 300 event

Red Bull appoints Lagrue as junior driver chief after Mercedes F1 exit

Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Red Bull appoints Lagrue as junior driver chief after Mercedes F1 exit

Dome-led group launches bid to build next Super Formula car

Super Formula
Dome-led group launches bid to build next Super Formula car

Mini masters put on another entertaining show at Thruxton

National
Mini masters put on another entertaining show at Thruxton

How Sutton scorched rivals to extend BTCC lead at Thruxton

Feature
BTCC
Thruxton
How Sutton scorched rivals to extend BTCC lead at Thruxton

Norris: I was better than Piastri in every sense in battle for Hungarian GP victory

Formula 1
Hungarian GP
Norris: I was better than Piastri in every sense in battle for Hungarian GP victory

Ogier to reunite with WRC champion co-driver for Rally Finland

WRC
Rally Finland
Ogier to reunite with WRC champion co-driver for Rally Finland

Acosta points out the major flaw in MotoGP's plan to ban front holeshot device mid-season

The KTM rider says the current proposal to remove only the front device in MotoGP is "not the safest thing"

Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Pedro Acosta believes MotoGP's move towards banning front holeshot devices at the start of races in the near future will create new dangers if the rear device is not removed at the same time.

MotoGP is already set to remove ride height devices entirely when the new regulations come in for 2027, but its bosses have expressed a desire to ban the front device, used only at race starts, early in the wake of recent first-corner accidents.

As reported earlier this month, there are plans to bring in the front device ban for the British Grand Prix in August - but Acosta says it's no good doing half a ban.

Several of the riders tried starting without the front device following Czech Grand Prix practice at Brno on Friday. Opinions varied on the time frame and viability of the proposed ban, with Acosta saying it would only work if both front and rear devices were removed.

The KTM star pointed to potential complications that could arise if the rear holeshot device failed to release under braking for the first corner. He pointed out that while you could still ride if the front device remained engaged, it would be a different story if a rear device did the same without a front device to counter it.

"With the rear down, you cannot turn," he said after comfortably making it into Saturday's Q2 session. "The front is in the air, I would say."

Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images

"Everything or nothing," added the Spaniard. "[Just going] without [the front] holeshot, I'm not sure it's the safest thing. If I took them off, I would take them both off. And I would also take them off directly for the rest of the year.

"It's the most unnatural thing you can put on the bike. If I take them off, I take them all off, [or] I don't take anything off. Because with the front activated, you can still do the turns."

Among other riders, there was a general feeling that more trials were needed before rushing into a change.

"It's not a safe solution to immediately remove it," said world championship leader Marco Bezzecchi. "So, it's better to try it a couple of times more. At least one or two weekends more, to really understand. And then speak all together and understand what we will do."

"We need to practice a bit more," added Yamaha rider Fabio Quartararo. "We can really practice from FP1 [at the next race]. We need a bit more time to adjust. I don't know if it's good or bad, but it's a matter of getting used to it."

Read Also:
Previous article MotoGP’s own ‘Concorde Agreement’ is finally official
Next article Trackhouse Aprilia set to finalise Raul Fernandez 2027 MotoGP deal

Top Comments