The controversial subject of MotoGP™ aerodynamics has evolved a great deal in recent years and, for 2020, MotoGP has announced it will strengthen its rules to eliminate any grey areas.

This announcement came following a controversial winglet run by Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, on his way to the first MotoGP victory of the 2019 season at the Qatar Grand Prix.

The swingarm spoiler, often nicknamed a ‘spoon’ or ‘chin’, was said to cool down the rear tyre, but ignited a feud between manufacturers with Honda, Aprilia, Suzuki and KTM all lodging a complaint over its legality.

However MotoGP has announced it will still be legal under its stricter aerodynamic regulations in 2020, but will now fall under Aero Body rules alongside other areas of the bike with an ‘aerodynamic effect’. MotoGP will allow these areas to have just one design update per season.

At the moment, this is the case but with just two Aero Body areas, The Fairing and Front Fender. To prevent a repeat of Qatar’s swingarm saga, from next year there will be another Aero Body covering the swingarm.

MotoGP’s Director of Technology, Corrado Cecchinelli explains that:

“The infamous ‘chin’ will still be legal, but now it will become a homologated part. If you change the design of the ‘chin’, including if you simply remove it completely, it will count as your one update for the season in that area.”

The same Aero Body restrictions will apply to any other part of the bike that is deemed to have an ‘aerodynamic effect’.

“For instance, the fork leg cover will be automatically considered as part of the Aero Body. So it is allowed to be shaped, but that shape can only be changed once during the season,” said Cecchinelli.

The rules have not only got fans talking, but riders too, with Max Biaggi taking to social media to express that aerodynamic developments will always create regulatory disputes, since the line between lawful and unlawful is a fine one.

“I believe that with the high levels of power involved, we can’t do without aerodynamics, but regulations must be adapted quickly!”