Marco Bezzecchi
Honda have been very active in the MotoGP rider market as they weigh up their options for the 2026 season. Now, it seems the Japanese giants have finalised their riders.
Honda have the most seats available on the grid in 2026, with three riders out of contract. Earlier in the year, they were exploring multiple options on the MotoGP rider market to bolster their ranks.
Jorge Martin was heavily linked with Honda as he tried to force a way out of his contract at Aprilia. However, the Spaniard will stay put after failing to negotiate an exit, leaving the Japanese outfit to settle with what they have.
Luca Marini is set to sign a contract extension with the factory team, while Johann Zarco is set to stay at LCR. Joan Mir has a contract until 2026, but it seems likely that Somkiat Chantra will leave MotoGP at the end of the season.
Honda will now ‘relocate’ Somkiat Chantra to World Superbikes in 2026
It has been a disastrous season for the Thai rider after stepping up to the premier class from Moto2. Chantra has been considerably behind teammate Zarco throughout the season, so much so that Honda are not even paying attention to his data.
Chantra has struggled with injuries in 2025, but with one point on the board, a change is imminent. Honda look set to sign Diogo Moreira and bring the Brazilian up to MotoGP to partner with Zarco at LCR.
It leaves Chantra facing an exit from MotoGP after just one season. However, it seems that Honda intend to keep him in their ranks.
A report from AS states that Honda will ‘relocate’ Chantra to World Superbikes after a ‘very modest’ debut season in the premier class. A return to Moto2 was mentioned, but it now seems that the Thai rider will find a new home in Honda’s WSBK programme.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Somkiat Chantra from career to height
Will Diogo Moreira perform with Honda in 2026?
In Moreira, Honda have an exciting young talent who brings huge commercial value to the team and MotoGP. He became the first Brazilian rider to win a race in Moto2 in 2025, and he will have a home Grand Prix on the calendar as the sport heads to Goiana in 2026.
He is currently battling for the title in the intermediate class, currently sitting 35 points behind Manu Gonzalez. Winning the championship would almost guarantee a seat in MotoGP for next season, but he is still a raw talent.
Carlo Pernat has warned that Moreira could be Chantra 2.0 if Honda sign him, but his results suggest that he has a higher ceiling. Reports are indicating that a deal is close, but there are other parties interested, as Pramac are also linked with Moreira.
If the Brazilian was to favour a move to Yamaha, Honda are ‘eyeing up’ Gonzalez as a Plan B. The Spaniard leads the Moto2 championship and impressed in a MotoGP test with Trackhouse Aprilia earlier this year at Aragon.
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