Following the horrific weekend in Barcelona, the Grand Prix Commission of MotoGP has taken radical decisions to improve driver safety from the very first corner, with the ban on the holeshot device at Assen and a modification of the starting grid layout at the Sachsenring.
The most emblematic change concerns the ban on front (and only front) leveling systems, commonly known as holeshot devicesThese systems, mounted on the front of the motorcycles, allowed them to be lowered at the start to limit wheelies and optimize acceleration..
This ban, initially planned for 2027, was brought forward and came into effect at the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen at the end of June 2026.
In order to further improve safety during departures, the standard grid configuration has been modified in all categories starting the 2026 German Grand Prix at the Sachsneringtwo weeks later.
The longitudinal spacing between the pilots, previously fixed at 3 meters, was brought to 4 metersThe total distance between each row of three pilots has therefore increased from 9 à 12 meters and each row will continue to have three drivers.
Words are words, and a graphic illustration often helps to better grasp the importance of these changes, so we created this small montage with the 2025 and 2026 grids of the German GP, hoping to visualize this modification.
However, the optical compression doesn't allow us to see the lengthening of the grid, designed to reduce the risk of accidents at the first corner. On the other hand, we can clearly see that the drivers occupied the entire width of the track last year, thus minimizing the risk of contact under acceleration, which is no longer the case today.
Optical illusion? MotoGP grid Sachsenring MotoGP grid Sachsenring
No. The official images taken from a helicopter confirm it…
Moreover, by highlighting them, the marks of the old starting grid are very clearly visible…
One might wonder why the width of the grid is reduced when it is lengthened.
However, even in the lengthy 17-page document released by Race Direction before the event, we found no information on this change which, at first glance, may seem very paradoxical.
Let's bet that we'll probably have a follow-up to this article…
In any case, the drivers gave their opinions in a fairly consistent manner regarding the highly publicized changes to the grid…
1/ Jorge Martín (Aprilia Racing): "The main difference is probably that we now have a little more leeway to react to unforeseen events. This time, nothing happened in the first corner. So it's probably a positive change."
2/ Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team): "I don't feel any difference between the starts of the past and those of today. I think it's good."
7/ Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing): "This is the first safety rule change that actually makes things safer. If you get a good start, you can overtake the drivers on your starting grid at the first corner. Overtaking a driver starting from the previous grid has become significantly more difficult. In practice, this only works under braking. The important point, however, is that now, as you approach the first corner, you might have one or two drivers alongside you, but no longer five." "
9/ Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP):"It has become much more difficult to regain positions from the start. Unless there's a major mistake, it's almost impossible to be in the same position going into the first corner."
10/ Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol): "For me, it's not a huge difference, but I think it's a good change. It's good."
12/ Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3): "In terms of safety, the increased distance is probably an advantage. In terms of overtaking opportunities, it's less good. But considering what has happened in the past, it's clearly safer now."
13/ Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing): “I can no longer overtake as many people as before. Even with a good start, I can barely overtake one row, let alone two. From a safety perspective, it’s definitely the right decision. We’ll have to wait and see if it’s also the right program.”
14/ Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team): "In my opinion, it's the same as before. We have a little more space now, but I wouldn't say it changes much. With more space, we'll try to find an opening when braking. So, I don't think it really helps, but for me, it's not a big problem."
15/ Diogo Moreira (Pro LCR Honda): “I think it’s better. However, it’s difficult to say if it will actually be better in the long run. Overtaking has certainly become more difficult in the first few meters. But that’s the case for everyone, and that’s why I think it’s become safer overall.” Starting from the front or second row is now more important than ever, as overtaking early in the race has become more difficult. This is especially true on circuits like the Sachsenring. A strong Q2 performance has become even more crucial. »
However, the only early removal of holeshot device is less unanimously accepted, like Fabio Di Giannantonio, Marc Marquez and many others, who explain…
P3 / Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team): "There are two phases. From the start until the first turn, it's much more dangerous, and then, from the braking point to the turn itself, it's safer. But I made four starts, and twice I arrived at the first corner and the wheel did not touch the ground.
It's easy [during testing] because you just need to accelerate [gently], but with all the bikes [during a real start], we'll see who will accelerate moderately to make the front tire touch.
That's perfectly normal. The rear is now very low because we can still use the rear device, which improves performance, but we can no longer use the front. It's impossible to ban the system on the rear wheel because we use it for riding. We only used the front wheel for the start.
P5/ Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team): "I have already said that, from my perspective, the forward departure device was also acceptable for safety reasons. But if they've done their analysis and all that, and they think it's better to start this way, then for me that's okay.
At the moment, I find it a little scary, but that's just my personal opinion. But the goal is to avoid this kind of accident at the first turn, so let's go!
I think the only problem we could encounter is if you come into the first corner with the front wheel not touching the ground. As a result, you might start braking and lock the front wheel because it's not on the ground.
I conclude that this is the limit for the moment, a point to monitor closely.
At the Sachsenring, both in the Sprint and the Grand Prix, everything went well at the first corner, before somewhat soporific races.
This is probably related to the Saxon circuit, but let's wait for Silverstone and the following Grands Prix to see if these safety features detract from the quality of the spectacle…
MotoGP grid Sachsenring MotoGP grid Sachsenring