Honda could now face rival Toprak Razgatlioglu offer as second MotoGP team plots World Superbikes swoop

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Honda are heavily being linked with a swoop for Toprak Razgatlioglu, but they are not the only MotoGP team interested in signing the reigning World Superbikes champion.

The 28-year-old is regularly linked with switching the premier production bike championship for prototypes, yet has so far resisted any interest from the MotoGP paddock. But the series’ upcoming move to 850cc bikes and moving to Pirelli tyres in 2027 may change the picture.

Razgatlioglu can offer any MotoGP team a big boost with his experience of using Pirelli tyres in WSBK. He is also possibly on the market as the Turkish ace is out of contract with BMW at the end of 2025. Yet Honda might not be the only MotoGP horse in the race for Razgatlioglu.

Yamaha could rival Honda’s interest in signing Toprak Razgatlioglu to a MotoGP contract

The Japanese squad have a few options up their sleeve to try and tempt the two-time World Superbikes champion to finally make the switch. Honda have held talks with Razgatlioglu for a two-year MotoGP contract starting in 2026 with an option to continue for two more years.

It is even possible that Honda could put Razgatlioglu in their World Superbikes team in 2026 before moving him over to MotoGP with the 2027 regulations. But they may now face a rival swoop by Yamaha, who are potentially interested in signing Razgatlioglu to race for Pramac.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Yamaha from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy

Simon Patterson of The Race now reports that Yamaha are considering seeing if Razgatlioglu would be open to racing for Pramac given the Tuscan team are their de facto second factory team. Pramac also have one opening for 2026 with Jack Miller only under contract this year.

“We know that there’s potentially another rumour floating around that Yamaha are once again interested in him because there’s potentially space in Pramac,” Patterson shared on The Race MotoGP Podcast. “They’re keen to see if he’d jump in there.

“He’s always been opposed to going from World Superbikes to anything but a factory team. But you have to think that the full factory-backed, reigning world championship satellite team is pretty close to being a factory team. So, that might be enough to persuade him.”

Yamaha cannot offer Toprak Razgatlioglu a full factory bike like Honda before MotoGP’s 2027 regulation changes

Miller’s Pramac bike is the only Yamaha currently due to become available at the end of this season. Yamaha have works riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, plus Miguel Oliviera with Pramac, on factory deals through 2026. Miller only has a factory Yamaha contract for 2025.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Jack Miller from net worth to wife

Not having a factory bike available for 2026 could prove to be to Yamaha’s determinant with Honda able to give Razgatlioglu a works seat next season to replace Luca Marini beside Joan Mir. There is, however, also the potential option for Yamaha to match Honda’s year in WSBK.

It would be somewhat surprising for Razgatlioglu to re-join Yamaha’s World Superbikes team next year before moving over to MotoGP in 2027, though. He left Yamaha for BMW last year and lifted the title that season, and could win another this year as BMW strive to retain him.

BMW’s World Superbikes team are striving to keep Razgatlioglu in the production bike series for at least next year. GPOne claims BMW are prepared to offer Razgatlioglu more than €2m (£1.5m) and improve his win bonus to keep the Turkish rider on their M1000RR during 2026.