Explained: What are the new MotoGP Engine Control Units for 2023?
An ECU is a piece of hardware, desi🍸gned by Marelli. All MotoGP teams and bik𒁃es use the same hardware.
The ECU collects data via sensors🉐, complies the data using software, then uses the data to drive the engine control actuators.
The reason that every team and bi🌜ke uses the same hardware is to prevent costs getting out of control. Previousꦇly, factories were able to invest in getting the best possible hardware.
New bikes on the 2023 grid will use a 𓆉new ECU. Older bikes will continue using older ECUs. Again, this is designed to control the costs of the rental agree🍷ment.
As well as aiding sustainability, MotoGP says this move “works to ensure Independent Teams♒ can continue to th🅷rive on the grid”.
None of this w💎ill create a performance disparity, crucially.
The new ECUs f🦹or 2023 do not have a technical advantage.
They will have 🎐updates 🤪to aid with MotoGP’s commitment to sustainable fuels. And new safety measures will be trialled.
The factorಞies which use the new ECUs on their new bikes will have the whole of 2023 to gather data. Then, when the new era of sustainable fuel begins in 2024, the ECUs will “be expected to deliver a better performance”, MotoGP says.
James was a sportsඣ journalist at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
