MotoGP debuts new stability control feature at the Austrian Grand Prix
MotoGP’s new stability control system gets mixed reviews after making its first appearance at the Austrian GP.
MotoGP debuted a new safety feature at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix last weekend, which is aimed at stopping highsides from happening.
MotoGP is the pinnacle of two-wheel racing, and that often means the very best tech will be found in the series. That might include things like aero winglets which transcended the sport a few years ago, and have now filtered down to road bikes. Or, it could be the holeshot devices to improve race starts, although they are being banned in 2027.
But the new stability control system, not to be confused as another form of traction control, has been implemented with the idea of making the sport safer. And while that might end up happening, feedback has been both positive and negative.
MotoGP’s top dog in 2025, Marc Marquez, spoke about the new system last weekend, saying it takes away from the rider’s ability to make the ‘difference’. Going as far as saying ‘I don’t like it’, Marquez shared similar opinions on the device as fellow Spaniard Pedro Acosta.
The electronic feature can be used in conjunction with the existing traction control system. But it is not the same as traction control, which focuses more on wheelspin as opposed to sliding.
What the stability, or ‘slide’ control as it has been referred to, does is calculate the amount of sideways movement that is being generated compared to the bike’s forward momentum. If it is deemed too high, it can limit a slide by reducing the engine’s torque .
Speaking about the system, MotoGP officials said: “The new stability control system is a unified software update teams can use with the spec ECU. The ECU – electronic control unit – is supplied to all teams by Marelli. Each weekend, teams then choose which of the unified software versions they will run based on the allowed options for the Grand Prix.
“Development on the stability control system began in order to take another step forward in that mission, as it further decreases the likelihood of highside crashes.”
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
