Honda are already ‘eyeing up’ their Plan B if Diogo Moreira rejects their 2026 MotoGP proposal

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Moto2 star Diogo Moreira is a rider in demand in the MotoGP rider market for the 2026 season. Honda are interested in the Brazilian talent.

The Japanese giants have the most seats to confirm for next year, with Luca Marini, Johann Zarco and Somkiat Chantra all out of contract in 2025. However, Marini is believed to have agreed a new deal with Honda, leaving the two spots at LCR still to fill.

Zarco is set to stay at LCR, with the Frenchman stating that he would be happy to stay put if he received factory machinery. His teammate’s future looks bleaker, as Chantra has desperately struggled since stepping up to MotoGP.

Injuries have not helped him, but the Thai rider has been considerably off the pace in 2025. Honda will likely explore other options for 2026, with Moreira being a top target.

Carlo Pernat has warned that Moreira could be Chantra 2.0, stating that he needs another season in Moto2, but his results would suggest he has a higher ceiling as he sits third in the standings in 2025. Honda are keen to bring him on board, but they face competition.

Honda are ‘eyeing up’ Manu Gonzalez if Diogo Moreira rejects their 2026 MotoGP offer

The Japanese giants have put an offer on the table for the Brazilian to join LCR in 2026. However, Pramac are also interested in Moreira as they consider their options for next year.

Moreira’s situation has hindered Jack Miller and his bid to stay on the MotoGP grid, as Pramac have delayed their decision on Toprak Razgatlioglu’s teammate. Fabio Quartararo would support Yamaha signing Moreira, but Honda are pushing for his signature.

Reports have suggested that Honda have beaten Yamaha for Moreira, with the Japanese outfit offering a three-year deal. But the Moto2 rider is yet to make a decision, and Moreira’s advisors are telling him to reject Honda’s proposal.

If that does happen and he favours a move to Yamaha, Honda have already prepared an alternative. In a report from The Race, they are ‘eyeing up’ Manu Gonzalez to replace Chantra if Moreira opts to move elsewhere.

Gonzalez impressed in testing for Trackhouse Aprilia at Aragon earlier in the season. It has got the paddock interested in the Spaniard, and Honda have him as Plan B if their swoop for Moreira is unsuccessful.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Honda from the MotoGP team’s riders to leadership

Manu Gonzalez and Diogo Moreira Moto2 stats compared amid MotoGP offers

Pramac are also considering Gonzalez for 2026, hence the delay on the announcement of their line-up for next season. Honda and Yamaha appear to be battling it out for the same two Moto2 stars, and it is not hard to see why.

Gonzalez and Moreira are in a championship battle in the intermediate class in 2025. The former leads the standings, while the latter is 35 points behind in third, with Aron Canet in second.

Gonzalez has four wins to his name thus far, his latest coming at Mugello. After a slow start to the season, Moreira is starting to score strong results, with two wins and four podiums in the last seven races.

The Brazilian would offer huge commercial value in 2026 as MotoGP returns to the nation next year in Goiana. But if Gonzalez wins the Moto2 title, it may give him the edge in the rider market.