Marco Bezzecchi
Miguel Oliveira will leave MotoGP at the end of the 2025 season after losing his seat at Pramac, but things could have worked out differently for his career.
The Portuguese rider’s place in the premier class came under threat after Pramac signed Toprak Razgatlioglu from World Superbikes. Oliveira found himself battling Jack Miller for a seat in 2026.
Despite having a contract until next season, Oliveira lost out to Miller. Yamaha activated an exit clause in his contract due to his results; he currently sits 21st in the standings, the lowest-ranked Yamaha rider in 2025.
Injuries have not helped the 30-year-old, having missed four races after a crash in Argentina. But with only two top-10 finishes thus far, Oliveira accepted his fate as Miller will partner with Razgatlioglu in 2026.
The Portuguese rider joined MotoGP in 2019 with KTM Tech3, spending two seasons with the French outfit before joining the factory team. Winning five races from 2020 to 2022, Oliveira moved to Aprilia in 2023 with RNF, and he would be presented with a new challenge at the end of the season.
Miguel Oliveira does not regret not replacing Marc Marquez at Honda after losing his Pramac seat
MotoGP was left stunned by the news that Marc Marquez was leaving Honda at the end of 2023, a year before his contract expired. The Spaniard had been struggling with injury setbacks since his crash at Jerez in 2020 and was growing frustrated with the team’s regression.
Marquez moved to Gresini on a huge pay cut as he strove to return to the top of MotoGP. Needing a replacement, Oliveira was ‘one of the first riders’ Honda approached to replace the Ant of Cervera, as per Motorsport.com.
However, the Portuguese rider had already signed a contract with Trackhouse Aprilia for 2024. With Honda only offering a one-year deal, he chose to stay put.
Luca Marini would replace Marquez at Honda, and he is currently flourishing with the Japanese giants amid their upturn in form. But despite this and his exit from MotoGP in 2025, Oliveira has no regrets.
“No, I don’t feel that [way],” he said. “Two years ago when I was offered the HRC contract, it was for a year. I had a contract with Aprilia for that season and I told them that I could not break [an existing] contract for a one-year contract because I would damage a relationship.
“I needed at least a two-year contract, which they didn’t offer me. Anyway, it was not in my character to break a deal just to switch a spot, and so I didn’t see the potential to move there.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Miguel Oliveira from net worth to wife
Miguel Oliveira could remain in MotoGP in 2026 after confirming WSBK switch
Oliveira has already confirmed his plan for 2026, as he will replace Razgatlioglu at BMW in WSBK. The Turkish rider is on the verge of his third title in the category and second with the German manufacturer in 2025, as he battles with Nicolo Bulega.
But while he will embark on a new adventure in WSBK next year, he could potentially stay in MotoGP. It was reported that Yamaha were keen to keep Oliveira in some capacity, whether that be as a test rider or in WSBK, but it has not come to fruition.
Aprilia are now said to be interested in the 30-year-old’s services as a test rider. Oliveira has had experience with the Noale outfit at RNF and Trackhouse, but Aprilia will need to ask BMW to get him a dual role in 2026.
A return to full-time racing could also be on the cards in the future. Dorna would love to see Oliveira on the grid in 2027 as it keeps a Portuguese rider in the sport; he is the ‘Cristiano Ronaldo of MotoGP’.
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