‘Incredible’ rider could make MotoGP debut with 2025 wildcard appearance after Yamaha talks

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Four of the five MotoGP manufacturers have all six wildcard slots available for the 2025 season. Ducati, in the top band of the concessions system, are the only exception.

Last season, KTM fielded 31-time premier-class winner Dani Pedrosa at the Spanish GP and then added Pol Espargaro to their line-up for the Italian, Austrian and San Marino Grands Prix.

Lorenzo Savadori appeared for Aprilia in Barcelona before deputising in the Netherlands and Germany when Aleix Espargaro was out. Savadori has once again filled in this year, this time for world champion Jorge Martin.

Honda signed A. Espargaro following his retirement, and they also have Takaaki Nakagami available as a wildcard. Like Yamaha, they didn’t take advantage of the system last year, but that could change in 2025.

Rumours claim Toprak Razgatlioglu could make wildcard MotoGP debut for Yamaha or Honda

There are strong rumours that Toprak Razgatlioglu could join Honda’s MotoGP team, either in 2026 or 2027. The two-time World Superbikes champion is approaching the end of his contract with BMW.

Razgatlioglu has also been linked with Pramac and reportedly held talks with the Yamaha satellite over a 2025 seat. According to Moto.it, manager Kenan Sofuoglu may have intentionally leaked these details to the press.

The Turkish rider won his first WSBK title with the Japanese manufacturer and also tested their MotoGP bike in Spain. Razgatlioglu underwhelmed at Jerez, but it’s said that he wasn’t fully prepared.

‘Some even speculate’ that he could jump into a full MotoGP weekend at the end of this year as a wildcard. The WSBK season concludes on 19 October.

That would mean Razgatlioglu would be free to ride at either the Malaysian, Portuguese or Valencian GPs. Portimao may be the standout choice given that he’s already raced there this year.

What Honda bosses were seen doing at WBSK event amid Toprak Razgatlioglu pursuit

Speaking to GPOne last month, Razgatlioglu laughed off the prospect of a wildcard outing for Honda. But the story hasn’t gone away.

It could also be in the interests of both parties – the 28-year-old would have a chance to prove himself at the highest level of motorcycle racing, and his suitors could determine whether he merits a contract offer.

Described as ‘incredible’ by Jonathan Rea (via News Letter), he’s arguably the biggest two-wheel talent outside MotoGP right now. He may feel as if his career is incomplete unless he tackles Grand Prix racing.

Neil Hodgson believes Razgatlioglu to Honda ‘makes sense’. He could even spend a year at their WSBK team then join when the sport resets for the 2027 regulation changes.

Writing for Motorsport Magazine, Mat Oxley reported that Honda executives attended the Dutch Round last weekend for fresh talks with Razgatlioglu. No rider has ever won titles in both disciplines.