Marco Bezzecchi
Honda have three seats to fill for the 2026 MotoGP season, but it seems that they have made their decision.
The Japanese giants have been heavily active in the MotoGP rider market this year. It was expected to be quiet on the transfer front, with many riders having 2026 contracts, but Jorge Martin’s dispute with Aprilia caused utter chaos.
Honda pursued a deal for Martin, but the Spaniard was unable to break his contract and will stay at Aprilia. This left the manufacturer to assess their current pool of riders.
Only Joan Mir has a contract for 2026, but even his future was rumoured to be uncertain. Reports suggested that Mir’s contract could be terminated, but it appears that the 2020 MotoGP champion will stay put.
Luca Marini, Johann Zarco and Somkiat Chantra are all out of contract in 2025. But Honda have already decided their fate.
Honda’s decision to sign Diogo Moreira is being ‘kept secret’ due to Somkiat Chantra’s injury
The Japanese outfit are yet to make any official confirmation about their 2026 rider line-up. However, it has been claimed that Marini will sign a contract extension with Honda and continue alongside Mir.
Zarco is set to sign a two-year deal with LCR, which will put him out of sync with the contract cycle as it will expire in 2027. The Frenchman was targeting a move to the factory team, but he is happy to stay at the satellite outfit if he is given equal machinery.
Teammate Chantra looks set to leave LCR after a torrid first year in MotoGP. It is believed that Honda have signed Diogo Moreira and will bring the Brazilian up from Moto2 in 2026 on a multi-year deal.
Chantra is still recovering from injuries sustained in a motocross crash, which has kept him out for the past four races. According to a report from Speedweek, Honda’s decision on his future is ‘being kept secret from the public’ out of respect for the rider.
The report also states that Chantra’s seat’s main sponsor Idemitsu may not continue in 2026. They want to see an Asian rider on the grid, but with the 26-year-old’s disastrous form and a lack of talent coming up from the region, Honda may change their approach.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Honda from the MotoGP team’s riders to leadership
Honda made a U-turn on Somkiat Chantra’s LCR seat to sign Diogo Moreira
Honda made a U-turn with Chantra and Idemitsu as they began to consider options in Moto2. The lack of Asian riders who could guarantee results for the manufacturer may lead to them cutting ties with the sponsor.
Chantra is set to move to World Superbikes as Honda intend to keep him around in some capacity. That opens the door for Moreira, who looks likely to make his MotoGP debut next year.
The Brazilian looks like a strong talent as he currently battles for the Moto2 title in 2025. He also offers significant commercial value for MotoGP, as his home nation will return to the calendar in 2026 in Goiania.
Neil Hodgson is ‘convinced’ Moreira will succeed at Honda, describing him as ‘immaculate’ during the Moto2 round at Balaton Park. The Brazilian has a lot of potential, and the Japanese giants will hope he will be a significant upgrade on Chantra.
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