MotoGP testing only recently got underway, but on-track events have taken a backseat as silly season intensified, with Fabio Quartararo poised for a sensational switch to Honda in 2027, while Pedro Acosta is in line for a seat in Ducati’s factory team.
While Quartararo insisted “nothing is signed,” sources close to HRC confirmed to Cycle News the Frenchman is the favorite to lead MotoGP’s most successful constructor into the new 850cc era.
Honda has been known to be on the lookout for an elite MotoGP name since Marc Marquez’s departure at the close of 2023. It would have taken on Jorge Martin for 2026 had the Spaniard been able to successfully exit his Aprilia contract last year.
It could mark a statement of intent from the Japanese brand as it works to reverse the slump it found itself in for much of this decade. Since Marquez’s departure, its MotoGP operation has received increased manpower. Now it could have a rider to match its ambition, following the Quartararo news reported on Motorsport.com last Thursday, January 29.
In truth, Quartararo’s mind appeared to have been made up in October last year. The 26-year-old was far from impressed by the early version of Yamaha’s new V4 YZR-M1. Asked during the Malaysian Grand Prix what it would take to stay with Yamaha beyond this year, he stated, “I need to feel that it’s a winning bike.”
Pushed on whether this was a realistic goal for Yamaha, technical director Max Bartolini told Cycle News last November, “It’s difficult to say if this will be possible.”
Asked for comment, an official Yamaha spokesman told Cycle News, “We do not intend to comment on media speculation. We continue to work hard and in full harmony with Fabio, fully focused on our shared objectives.”
Indeed, it appears Yamaha is swiftly lining up a replacement. Martin has emerged as its chief target, aiming to end his Aprilia nightmare. Despite injury plaguing his title defense, the 2024 World Champion has still to feel at home aboard the RS-GP.
In his repeated absence last year, he also found himself demoted to a number two in the team, behind Marco Bezzecchi, who confirmed a two-year extension with Aprilia for 2027 and 2028 on Monday. Aprilia is also unable to match the kind of offer Yamaha—potentially freed of Quartararo’s hefty salary—could muster.
A member of Martin’s management team didn’t rule out the link. “We are understanding the best options for our riders [currently],” they told Cycle News.
Despite the prevailing optimism surrounding KTM in 2026, Pedro Acosta also refused to rule out his signing for Ducati. Those rumors have picked up pace in recent days, with Acosta now fully expected to partner Marc Marquez in factory red in 2027. A source close to Acosta’s camp conceded, “Changing teams in an option, yes,” to Cycle News.
It’s also believed Maverick Vinales could be in line to replace him in KTM’s factory team. KTM Motorsport Director Pit Beirer has stressed the importance of the Catalan last spring when he demonstrated to engineers a different way of extracting the most from the bike.CN
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