Ever wondered exactly what a MotoGP race engineer does? In this comprehensive guide to the role of a MotoGP race engineer, we will take a look at their responsibilities during a race weekend and how they work with the riders, crew chiefs, mechanics and data systems.
A MotoGP race engineer’s role involves using data from the bike, combined with rider feedback to optimise MotoGP bike setup and performance across a race weekend.
The race engineer is one of the key MotoGP crew roles, helping the rider get the most from the bike in terms of performance and results. During Grand Prix weekends, they work in the team garage, otherwise known as a pit box, with the other members of the team such as the Crew Chief (the main technician who speaks with the rider), the Team Principal, the mechanics, the logistics staff, suspension technicians and tyre technicians.
What is a MotoGP race engineer’s role within their teams?
Specific MotoGP crew roles and job titles of MotoGP race engineers differ from team to team and manufacturer to manufacturer.
Taking the example of the Ducati Lenovo Team’s technical structure for the 2026 season helps us begin to define the role of the engineers, alongside other team members.
Ducati’s MotoGP efforts are led by Luigi Dall'Igna (General Manager), supported by the likes of:
- Mauro Grassilli (Sporting Director)
- Davide Barana (Technical Director)
- Davide Tardozzi (Team Manager)
- Riccardo Savin (MotoGP Project Director)
- Gabriele Conti (Electronic systems Manager)
- Leonardo Simoncini (Track Technical Coordinator)
- Nicolò Mancinelli (Vehicle Performance Engineer)
- Andrea Giavarini (Data Analyst)
Then specifically working with the MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez on his side of the Ducati box are:
- Marco Rigamonti (Track Engineer, known colloquially as Crew Chief)
- Mattia Sereni (Electronics Engineer)
- Michele Ducoli (Chief Mechanic, overseeing the work of five more mechanics)
Meanwhile at Honda HRC Castrol the key personnel are as follows:
- Taichi Honda (HRC Director - General Manager Race Operations Management Division)
- Alberto Puig (Team Manager)
- Romano Albesiano (HRC Technical Director)
- Mikihiko Kawese (HRC Technical Manager)
The specifically within Joan Mir’s Honda crew are:
- Santi Hernández (Chief Engineer, known colloquially as Crew Chief),
- Carlos Liñán (Chief Mechanic, overseeing the work of more mechanics)
- Carlo Luzzi (Electronics Engineer)
- Ricardo Carrascosa (Data Engineer)
Within the team structures of the other manufacturers - Aprilia, KTM and Yamaha – there are MotoGP race engineers with similar responsibilities and often slightly different job roles.
Then, away from the race track at their main MotoGP headquarters, the manufacturers have engineers constantly striving to update and improve their prototype racing motorcycles, working on elements such as aerodynamics, chassis, engine and swing arm design.
What does a MotoGP race engineer do during a race weekend?
MotoGP race engineers hold performance-focused technical roles, working on rider feedback channeled through the head mechanic - or crew chief – and using MotoGP data analysis protocols, in conjunction with other team staff.
Their main goals are to improve rider feel/confidence on the bike, achieve technical consistency, enhance tyre performance, support setup decisions, improve performance and assist in dictating strategy on track.
In this article on How MotoGP™ teams prepare their bikes for the different tracks on the calendar, experienced Red Bull KTM Factory Racing crew chief Paul Trevathan gives the lowdown on how his mechanics and engineers work at a Grand Prix.
Starting on a Tuesday with setting up their garage and rebuilding the bikes from scratch, the analysts, mechanics, technicians and engineers work diligently all the way through to Sunday night, post-race, to ensure maximum performance throughout the season.
According to the track characteristics (layout, orientation, track surface), weather conditions, previous results, evolving data sets and rider preferences, the teams constantly work on configuration of their bikes – with the various engineers playing a significant role.
The potential areas of adjustment on the bike which the engineers must consider and tweak to perfection can include electronics settings, suspension settings, chassis and geometry tuning, tyre selection and management, gearing and power delivery and braking systems.
During the weekend, the MotoGP race engineers and their team colleagues work on specific points each day:
Thursday: Planning and preparation
Thursday is dedicated to preparation before the bikes go on track. Engineers therefore focus on:
o Studying historical data from previous races and tests
o Reviewing the circuit layout, braking zones and grip characteristics
o Establishing a baseline setup for suspension, electronics and gearing
o Planning objectives and setup directions for Friday’s sessions
o Aligning strategy between senior management, analysts, crew chief and rider
This ensures the team starts practice with a strong setup foundation.
Friday: Data collection and setup direction
Friday’s practice sessions are used to evaluate the bike under real track conditions. Engineers therefore work on:
o Analysing telemetry and rider feedback
o Identifying issues with grip, braking stability or corner exits
o Testing suspension, geometry and electronics adjustments
o Evaluating gearing and power delivery
o Monitoring tyre performance during longer runs
By the end of Friday, teams aim to identify the best setup direction for the weekend.
Saturday: Qualifying and Sprint setup
Saturday focuses on maximising performance for qualifying and the Sprint. Engineers therefore concentrate on:
o Optimising the bike for one-lap qualifying pace
o Supporting time-attack runs on fresh tyres
o Finalising tyre choices and overall setup for the Sprint
o Fine-tuning electronics, suspension and geometry for aggressive riding
The goal is to achieve maximum performance for a hot lap in Qualifying, followed by maximum Sprint race consistency and performance.
Sunday: Grand Prix race execution and analysis
Race day focuses on performance management and strategy. Engineers therefore work on:
o Using all the data gathered on Friday and Saturday (in particular from the Sprint) to optimise race setup
o Monitoring tyre behaviour and overall bike performance
o Supporting pace and fuel management strategy
o Analysing telemetry trends during the race
o Conducting post-race debriefs and data analysis
The data gathered helps guide setup decisions for future races.
What data does a MotoGP race engineer analyse?
MotoGP™ bikes contain around 60 sensors producing hundreds of channels of data. Engineers and analysts use this information to understand how the bike is performing and how the rider can get the most from it.
Key data points include:
- Speed and acceleration patterns to analyse straight-line performance and drive out of corners
- Braking points and brake pressure to evaluate braking stability and consistency
- Throttle position and torque demand to understand how the rider applies power
- Lean angle and corner speed to analyse cornering performance
- Front and rear wheel speeds to detect wheelspin or loss of traction
- Gear position and gear shift behaviour to optimise gearbox ratios and quick-shifter performance
- Suspension movement (front and rear) to study weight transfer and grip
- Tyre pressure, temperature and wear patterns to monitor grip and degradation
- Electronics performance, including traction control, engine braking and wheelie control
- Sector time comparisons and lap overlays to identify where time is gained or lost
Engineers combine this data with rider feedback to determine whether performance changes come from the bike setup, electronics strategies or the rider’s inputs.
Former Grand Prix rider and motogp.com pit lane reporter Simon Crafar – who is now Chairman of FIM MotoGP™ Stewards Panel – explains the work of the engineers in further detail. He comments: “The only engineer who touches the motorcycle normally is the data engineer. He plugs into the motorcycle when it comes back to the garage and downloads the information.”
“His job is very important because he needs to calibrate all of the sensors on the motorcycle. There's about 60 sensors now on the bikes and those sensors have to give accurate information.”
“For example, the temperature and pressure sensor for oil and water, the throttle position, the brake pressure sensor, the gear lever pressure sensor, for the quick shifter, the gear position sensor, the torque output sensor, the lean angle sensor, the front and rear wheel speed sensors, the front suspension sensor, the rear suspension stroke sensor. He takes all of that accurate information and passes it to everyone else.”
Crafar continues: “The strategy engineer is the next kind of layer. He or she is the person who adjusts the strategies, for example the traction control, engine braking settings, wheelie control, the sensitivity of the throttle, or torque demand. They adjust them because of rider complaints, or because the crew chief wants to do something. Then they give that strategy adjustment back to the data engineer to load into the motorcycle, for the next session.”
“In the modern era, but further behind the walls of the team garage, normally you don't see these guys, there will be a data analyst, or maybe in another team, the role will be called vehicle dynamics engineer,” Crafar explains. “He watches all of the data overall, all of the channels of information.”
“He'll try to see something and say, “Right, they made time in this sector there and I believe it was that new swing arm or that new strategy that we made.” Because he's not on the front line, he can more calmly try to find the time, what works, whether it was the hardware, meaning swing arm or a linkage that made it improve, or whether it was software.”
Crafar adds, “Then there's all this information going to the engine development group, chassis development group and so on, back at the factory, so it feeds back to them and it comes back to the team. Back at the factory, they're one step back from the data analyst who is trying to get the best performance for a specific race. These data engineers back there are trying to see for the future what they can improve, how they can improve it.”
How race engineers work with riders
Attending team meetings and post session/race debriefs, the engineers work directly with the riders, channeling their communications to and from the rider via the crew chief.
The job of the engineers here will include
- Translating rider feedback into setup changes
- Asking the right questions (Such as, “where do you feel the problem?”)
- Supporting rider confidence and consistency
- Balancing rider preference vs data direction
- Advising on the correct settings to give the rider what is needed
As a former rider and suspension technician himself, Crafar puts it best, as he comments: “The rider is so important. What he changes, his inputs on the bike, changes all of the feedback that the team and engineers get from the sensors. This can be by lining up a run onto a straight differently, using the brakes differently, the body weight changing everything constantly.”
“So, at the end of the day, the rider's still the most important person in the team. The analysts, engineers and crew chief can help give the rider the feeling and the confidence to improve it all. So it's literally a team effort.”
Race engineer vs crew chief vs mechanic: key differences
In terms of where the MotoGP race engineer’s role and responsibilities fit into the team structure in comparison with other key personnel, here is a definitive list:
|
Team Principal |
Leadership + overall team strategy |
|
Crew Chief |
Leads setup decisions and rider relationship |
|
Race Engineer |
Data analysis + performance direction |
|
Mechanic |
Hands-on bike assembly, repairs, checks |
How to become a MotoGP race engineer
Many MotoGP race engineers start with a degree in engineering, developing strong technical and analytical skills. Experience in racing is essential, often beginning in junior series, national championships or other motorsport categories, then working their way up through Moto3™ and Moto2™.
Key skills include data analysis, problem-solving, communication and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
Playing a vital role in each MotoGP team
MotoGP race engineers are among the most important performance specialists in a Grand Prix team. Working behind the scenes, they analyse vast amounts of data and combine it with rider feedback to guide bike setup and race strategy.
By translating technical information into practical updates that improve confidence, consistency, one-off lap times, speed and pace, race engineers play a crucial role in helping riders and teams achieve the best possible results in the most exciting sport on earth.