MotoGP rider Marc Marquez loves could now see his 2026 contract ‘terminated’ after eight DNFs

Add as preferred source on Google

The MotoGP rider market was not expected to produce much movement in 2025, given that most riders are tied down to contracts until next season.

However, that was thrown into disarray by defending champion Jorge Martin, who announced after Le Mans that he intended to leave Aprilia. The Spaniard activated an exit clause in his contract, citing dissatisfaction with the project and the RS-GP25.

Aprilia refused to see the clause as valid due to the races he has missed through injury. Their unwillingness to negotiate a way out for the rider has resulted in Martin committing his future to Aprilia until 2026, thus calming down the MotoGP rider market significantly.

But there are still some seats that need to be filled for 2026. Franco Morbidelli is out of contract at VR46 this year, but he has not done anything to suggest that he should be replaced.

Jack Miller is set to stay at Pramac, beating Miguel Oliveira to a 2026 seat alongside Toprak Razgatlioglu. Honda have two seats available at LCR after Luca Marini recently extended his contract at the factory team, but his teammate is not as secure as some may think.

Joan Mir’s contract could be ‘terminated’ by Honda before the 2026 season

Joan Mir has a contract until 2026 with Honda, but his future has been called into question in recent weeks. Since joining the manufacturer from fellow Japanese outfit Suzuki, multiple accidents have plagued him, having suffered eight DNFs from 12 races in 2025.

A lot of those accidents have been down to the Spaniard having rotten luck. But despite this, he could be under threat, as journalist Guilherme Longo says Honda could terminate his contract, with Johann Zarco and Moto2 rider Diogo Moreira waiting in the wings.

“I think this is the move everyone was waiting for after Martin spoke on Thursday: ‘I’m staying with Aprilia until the end of 2026,” he said via Motorsport Brasil, talking about Marini’s contract extension.

“The Honda duo for 2026 is currently locked in. Luca Marini is guaranteed until the end of next year, as is Joan Mir. But we know that Mir’s contract could even be terminated by the manufacturer, depending on the situation.

“And this ends up affecting Diogo Moreira’s situation a bit, because we know that LCR is looking for him, and they have an interest in Diogo Moreira.

“Lucio Cecchinello has already started courting the Brazilian, so to speak, thinking about next year in a situation where the Honda duo…

“LCR is still a question mark for next year as well. Johann Zarco is fighting to get a promotion to [the] official Honda [team], which is now very difficult.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Joan Mir from net worth to career stats

Marc Marquez was full of praise for Joan Mir as Honda teammates

It has been reported that Mir could be offered to LCR as Honda weigh up their options for 2026. But with this latest claim, it could be possible that the 2020 MotoGP champion drops off the grid entirely.

Mir has been desperately unlucky in 2025, having displayed some solid signs of performance on the RC213V. Marc Marquez will be particularly gutted if his fellow compatriot loses his seat, given their relationship as teammates at Honda.

Asked what he thought about Mir ahead of the 2023 season via Crash, Marquez said: “A world champion in MotoGP and a rider with so much talent and discipline. I’ve seen him training and he has many skills and that will help to adapt to the bike.

“He is a great competitor in the team and a strong team-mate that I hope will also make me grow.”