Marco Bezzecchi
Honda are starting to tie down their MotoGP riders for the 2026 season. The manufacturer have confirmed that Luca Marini will stay with the factory team next year.
The MotoGP rider market was thrown into chaos back at Le Mans as Jorge Martin announced his plan to leave Aprilia by activating an exit clause in his contract. Honda was his preferred destination, and they were waiting to strike a deal when he became a free agent.
Honda planned to offer Martin a three-year contract, but the Spaniard has now backtracked on his decision and will stay at Aprilia for 2026. He could not reach a compromise with the Noale outfit, as they were adamant that his exit clause was invalid due to his injuries.
That left Honda exploring other options for 2026. Marini will stay alongside Joan Mir at the factory team, but Martin remains Honda’s ‘main target’ for 2027.
With Honda HRC’s line-up locked in for next season, the Japanese giants must now tie down the riders at the satellite team. Johann Zarco is set to stay at LCR, but the future does not look good for Somkiat Chantra.
Honda are now turning their attention to Moto2 for 2026 which could see Diogo Moreira replace Somkiat Chantra
The jump from Moto2 to MotoGP has proved too much for the Thai rider, having scored just one point thus far this season. Chantra offered huge commercial value for Honda, given their connections to Idemitsu – the main sponsor of the LCR bike – in Asia.
Having a rider from the continent is huge for the sport and the championship, but Honda may now be having doubts. As per a report from Motorsport Espana, Chantra is expected to leave LCR at the end of the season.
The 26-year-old pace deficit to Zarco is ‘not acceptable’ to Honda, especially when they are trying to close the gap to Ducati. It has caused the manufacturer to ‘reconsider its commitment to Idemitsu’, as there is a ‘lack of Asian candidates with a minimum guarantee of competitiveness’.
Subsequently, Honda has ‘turned their attention to the Moto2 grid’, which could see Brazilian talent Diogo Moreira land a seat in MotoGP for 2026. He is enjoying a brilliant sophomore campaign in the intermediate class, sitting third in the standings after 12 rounds in 2025.
He recently became the first Brazilian rider to win a Moto2 race at Assen. Moreira has been linked with Honda in recent weeks, and with the manufacturer now openly looking to the intermediate class for candidates, he could be under serious consideration for LCR in 2026.
READ MORE: Everything to know about LCR from the MotoGP team’s riders to Honda ties
Which other Moto2 riders could Honda consider for 2026?
Moreira would offer commercial value to Honda, given the potential fanbase he could bring from South America. MotoGP will return to Brazil in 2026 in Goiania, making him an even more attractive option.
Besides the Brazilian, Honda do have other talents to consider for next season, with Manu Gonzalez being a name mentioned among MotoGP teams after impressing in the Aragon test for Trackhouse Aprilia.
Gonzalez is being linked with Yamaha for 2026, meaning Honda will have to fight it out against their Japanese rivals for his signature.
Jake Dixon could also be an option, with the Brit being linked with a move to the Japanese outfit’s World Superbike project. They could easily make a u-turn and bring him to MotoGP if he impresses in Moto2 this season.
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