Honda are about to make an astronomical offer for ‘spectacular’ rider to join their MotoGP team

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Honda are finally on an upward trajectory as they rebuild their MotoGP project. Having finished bottom of the standings last year, they’re currently just six points off second place.

Up to this point, it’s satellite rider Johann Zarco who has shown the full potential of the Honda RC213V. He currently sits seventh in the world championship – an improvement of 10 places last year.

His highlights include a front-row start in Argentina and three top-seven finishes. Two years after franchise rider Marc Marquez walked away, the Japanese giants are starting to become attractive again.

Alberto Puig insists Honda aren’t targeting any big-name riders right now. They apparently plan to wait until their motorcycle is a contender.

But their activity behind the scenes paints a different picture. With Zarco, Luca Marini and Joan Mir all out of contract, they have a unique level of flexibility in this year’s rider market.

Honda prepare their biggest step yet in Toprak Razgatlioglu pursuit

According to Motosprint, Honda are about to ‘formalise their offer’ for Toprak Razgatlioglu. This comes after their officials held talks with his manager, Kenan Sofoglu, at the Assen round of the World Superbikes championship.

Honda’s proposal is for Razgatlioglu to stay in WSBK for one more season, representing their team. He would then test for the MotoGP squad in preparation for a 2027 Grand Prix debut.

They’re prepared to offer him an ‘astronomical’ two-year deal and though they’ve ‘moved early’, they aren’t the only candidate. The doors at Pramac have ‘reopened’ too.

Pramac held talks with Razgatlioglu’s camp last winter, and he’s crucially repaired his relationship with Yamaha after a MotoGP test that left both parties dissatisfied. The question is whether Paolo Pavesio would let the revitalised Jack Miller go, or look to replace the under-contract Miguel Oliveira.

Honda may think their Toprak Razgatlioglu plan is genius – but there’s a catch

Razgatlioglu, a two-time WSBK champion, has been described as ‘spectacular’ by MotoGP legend Dani Pedrosa (via Todocircuito). The feeling is that a 2026 switch would make little sense, so close to a change of regulations.

Razgatlioglu would, on the face of it, have an advantage over his premier-class competitors given his prior experience with Pirelli rubber. The Italian supplier will take over from Michelin in 2027.

However, Pirelli are building an all-new tyre for MotoGP, so his knowledge will be of limited use. Still, Neil Hodgson says Honda are offering Razgatlioglu a ‘dream’ path.

Despite the success he’s achieved in his current discipline, he’s never seemed entirely satisfied. He’ll be 29 by the end of the season and is approaching the end of his BMW contract, so this appears the ideal moment for a change.