Marco Bezzecchi
Honda and Yamaha have set their sights on signing World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu to a MotoGP contract, with his future for BMW unclear beyond this term.
The 28-year-old has once again emerged as a leading target for teams in the prototype bike championship as Razgatlioglu is out of contract with BMW in the production bike series after 2025. Honda and Yamaha will also possibly have bikes available on the MotoGP grid to offer.
Three of the four riders in the Honda fold are out of contract after the 2025 MotoGP season, with factory ace Luca Marini plus LCR teammates Johann Zarco and Somkiat Chantra facing uncertain futures. Only factory rider Joan Mir is currently under contract for Honda in 2026.
Yamaha have fewer vacancies to offer Razgatlioglu and are without a factory bike to give the two-time World Superbikes champion. Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins and Pramac rider Miguel Oliveira have contracts for 2026, with Jack Miller the one Yamaha star set to be a free agent.
Toprak Razgatlioglu’s ‘heart is set on MotoGP’ in 2026 with Pramac Yamaha leading Honda
How Yamaha decide to handle Miller’s contractual situation will carry a huge impact on how Razgatlioglu’s future unfolds. According to MotoMatters, a bike for the 2026 MotoGP grid at Pramac Yamaha is the leading option edging the interest at Honda currently for Razgatlioglu.
A move to Pramac Yamaha has also gained strength in the race to sign Razgatlioglu after the arrival of Paolo Pavesio – an ally of the Alanya native – to replace Lin Jarvis as the managing director of Yamaha Motor Racing this year. Yet a move to Pramac in 2026 depends on Miller.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Yamaha from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
If the Australian can show he deserves to stay after Yamaha gave Miller a one-year ‘prove it’ deal at Pramac, Honda will gain in the Razgatlioglu race. It also remains possible that Honda could sign Razgatlioglu to a 2027 MotoGP contract and he spends 2026 at their WSBK crew.
Honda is his second-best option, with staying at BMW only Razgatlioglu’s third choice, as his ‘heart is set on MotoGP’ and moving to the prototype series as soon as possible. Ideally, the Turkish rider wants to quit World Superbikes after 2025, but he is prepared to wait for 2027.
Jack Miller could hold the keys to Yamaha’s hopes of Pramac beating Honda to Toprak Razgatlioglu
Honda will hope to benefit in both paddocks by signing Razgatlioglu to a 2027 MotoGP deal and a contract with their World Superbikes team for 2026. It would let the Turkish rider test their 850cc bike for MotoGP’s 2027 regulations and even offer his knowledge of Pirelli tyres.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Honda from the MotoGP team’s riders to leadership
But Yamaha are keen to see if Razgatlioglu would join Pramac next year as the satellite team are effectively the Japanese brand’s de facto second factory entry. It could then open a door for him to join the full works Yamaha team in 2027 when the new MotoGP regulations start.
Money alone will not decide where the Turkish pilot ultimately opts to spend the next phase of his career. But BMW are willing to make Razgatlioglu the best-paid World Superbikes rider to snub MotoGP teams and stay at the German crew in the production class series next year.
It is even possible that Razgatlioglu could make his MotoGP debut as a wildcard in 2025 with the World Superbike season ending at Jerez on October 19, whereas the prototype class will continue racing until the Valencia Grand Prix on November 16 to leave three potential races.
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