{"id":696191,"date":"2026-05-26T18:23:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T18:23:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/696191\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T18:23:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T18:23:13","slug":"how-the-2027-motogp-grid-is-shaping-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/696191\/","title":{"rendered":"How the 2027 MotoGP grid is shaping up"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>While MotoGP\u2019s commercial rights holder and the teams are still finalising their new agreement \u2013 a deal that is expected to unlock the official announcement of next season\u2019s rider market \u2013 16 of the 22 bikes on the 2027 MotoGP grid already are settled.<\/p>\n<p>Given how quickly the MotoGP market initially began moving ahead of next season, few would have imagined that at this stage of the year only one contract renewal would have been officially confirmed: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/marco-bezzecchi\/291374\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Marco Bezzecchi<\/a>\u2019s extension with Aprilia, largely because the Noale manufacturer acted more impulsively than strategically.<\/p>\n<p>Aside from the Rimini rider, the only seats currently secured beyond the end of 2026 are those of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/diogo-moreira\/945074\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Diogo Moreira<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/johann-zarco\/20642\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Johann Zarco<\/a> at Honda satellite outfit LCR, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/toprak-razgatl-oglu\/447399\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Toprak Razgatlioglu<\/a> at Pramac Yamaha.<\/p>\n<p>The silence that followed Bezzecchi\u2019s announcement stems from the manufacturers\u2019 association (MSMA), which agreed not to publicise any new signings until negotiations with MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (MGPSEG), the championship promoter, are completed.<\/p>\n<p>Manufacturers and teams alike believe it makes little sense to announce rider deals before the commercial framework for the coming years \u2013 including participants\u2019 rights and obligations \u2013 is fully defined. In that regard, Autosport understands Ducati and Honda have already approved MGPSEG\u2019s proposal, with Yamaha, Aprilia and KTM expected to follow shortly.<\/p>\n<p>   <img decoding=\"async\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779819792_696_pedro-acosta-red-bull-ktm-fact.jpg\" alt=\"Pedro Acosta\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"title\">Pedro Acosta<\/p>\n<p class=\"photographer\">Photo by: Eric Alonso \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Once all 11 teams have signed, rider market announcements should emerge. A closer look across the paddock suggests that 16 of the 22 bikes already have been assigned riders. That leaves six seats still open, with Trackhouse and Tech3 the only two teams yet to finalize either side of their garages.<\/p>\n<p>As things stand, four of the five factory teams appear to have completed their lineups.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/marc-marquez\/17122\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Marc Marquez<\/a> is already contracted to reigning champion Ducati through 2028, pending his recovery from the latest surgery on his right arm and his ability to continue competing at the level he demands of himself. Alongside him, the Bologna manufacturer is expected to place <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/pedro-acosta\/875418\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Pedro Acosta<\/a>, widely regarded as the brightest young talent in the premier class.<\/p>\n<p>Yamaha, meanwhile, reacted swiftly to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/fabio-quartararo\/109330\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Fabio Quartararo<\/a>\u2019s departure and secured <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/jorge-martin\/109340\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Jorge Martin<\/a> at the beginning of January. The Spaniard is set to partner <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/ai-ogura\/445065\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Ai Ogura<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Quartararo is poised to spearhead the revamped project at Honda, which has not only reshuffled its rider lineup but also its management structure. After eight years as team manager, Alberto Puig is expected to step aside into an advisory role covering both MotoGP and WorldSBK activities.<\/p>\n<p>   <img decoding=\"async\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/david-alonso-cfmoto-aspar-team.jpg\" alt=\"David Alonso\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"title\">David Alonso<\/p>\n<p class=\"photographer\">Photo by: Gold and Goose<\/p>\n<p>On paper, David Alonso \u2013 currently racing in Moto2 with Aspar \u2013 should take the second factory Honda seat. However, Autosport understands Honda retains the option to terminate the pre-agreement signed with the Colombian rider if it pays compensation estimated at around \u20ac1m.<\/p>\n<p>At present, Alonso\u2019s focus is on recovering from ongoing issues with his right shoulder, while HRC management continues to closely monitor his progress.<\/p>\n<p>At Aprilia, two close friends are set to reunite: Bezzecchi and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/francesco-bagnaia\/109338\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Francesco Bagnaia<\/a>, who opted to join the Noale manufacturer instead of accepting Yamaha\u2019s offer, which ultimately inspired less confidence.<\/p>\n<p>KTM, meanwhile, is expected to pair <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/alex-marquez\/20860\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Alex Marquez<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/fabio-di-giannantonio\/289790\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Fabio Di Giannantonio<\/a> \u2013 the former is currently the runner-up in the championship with Gresini, and the latter is arriving from VR46.<\/p>\n<p>Razgatlioglu will remain at Pramac, a project strongly backed by Yamaha boss Paolo Pavesio, while everything points to Izan Guevara joining the Turkish rider as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/jack-miller\/20959\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Jack Miller<\/a>\u2019s replacement. The Australian may now be approaching the final chapter of a grand prix career spanning 16 years.<\/p>\n<p>   <img decoding=\"async\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779819793_629_joan-mir-honda-hrc.jpg\" alt=\"Joan Mir\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/p>\n<p class=\"title\">Joan Mir<\/p>\n<p class=\"photographer\">Photo by: Eric Alonso \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>Among the remaining independent teams, Gresini has secured <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/joan-mir\/289391\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Joan Mir<\/a>, who will follow the same path <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autosport.com\/driver\/marc-marquez\/829758\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Marc Marquez<\/a> took in 2024 and is expected to partner Moto2 graduate Dani Holgado.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/fermin-aldeguer\/945224\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Fermin Aldeguer<\/a> is set to join VR46 with full factory rider status and all the privileges that come with it. One of the biggest unresolved questions, however, concerns the identity of his team-mate. Several names remain in contention, including Nicola Bulega, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/luca-marini\/201096\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Luca Marini<\/a> and Celestino Vietti \u2013 the latter two being graduates of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/valentino-rossi\/770\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Valentino Rossi<\/a>\u2019s Academy.<\/p>\n<p>Read Also:<\/p>\n<p>Finally, attention turns to the two garages that still have no confirmed riders: Trackhouse and Tech3.<\/p>\n<p>At Justin Marks\u2019 Trackhouse squad, the plan is to secure <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/enea-bastianini\/109333\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Enea Bastianini<\/a>, who is seeking to leave Tech3, while common sense suggests Raul Fernandez will ultimately renew his contract following his strong start to the season.<\/p>\n<p>As for Tech3, which recently confirmed it will continue running KTM machinery, the situation remains wide open. Maverick Vinales, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorsport.com\/driver\/brad-binder\/109348\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Brad Binder<\/a> and Senna Agius are among the options currently being evaluated by Guenther Steiner.<\/p>\n<p>            We want to hear from you!<\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-auto\">Let us know what you would like to see from us in the future.<\/p>\n<p>            <a href=\"#\" class=\"ms-link text-link font-bold\">Take our survey<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mt-1 text-body\">&#8211; The Autosport.com Team<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"While MotoGP\u2019s commercial rights holder and the teams are still finalising their new agreement \u2013 a deal that&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":696192,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[572],"tags":[5743,64,63,8542,9400,339446,5745,806,805,803,804,10670,85,42935],"class_list":["post-696191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-motosport","tag-aprilia-racing-team","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-ducati-team","tag-honda-hrc","tag-how-the-2027-motogp-grid-is-shaping-up","tag-motogp","tag-motor","tag-motor-sports","tag-motosport","tag-motosports","tag-red-bull-ktm-factory-racing","tag-sports","tag-yamaha-factory-racing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/696191","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=696191"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/696191\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/696192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=696191"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=696191"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=696191"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}