Honda are already plotting a brand-new factory line-up for 2027 after signing Diogo Moreira

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Honda completed the 2026 MotoGP grid with the signing of Diogo Moreira, but the Japanese giants are already looking towards 2027.

Moreira will join LCR in 2026 after signing a three-year factory contract with Honda. He will replace Somkiat Chantra, who has desperately struggled in his debut MotoGP season this year.

Honda had the most spots available for 2026, with Luca Marini and Johann Zarco out of contract. However, the pair will both retain their seats at HRC and LCR respectively, the former signing a one-year deal and the latter penning a two-year extension.

Joan Mir will also stay with Marini at the factory team in 2026, as the team hope to push forward after some encouraging results in 2025. But despite confirming next year’s line-up, Honda are already plotting moves on the MotoGP rider market for 2027.

Honda are plotting to bring in Jorge Martin and Diogo Moreira in 2027

Teams are already preparing contracts for 2027, and Honda could well be one of them. Mir and Marini will be facing pressure to keep their seats beyond next year as the Japanese giants seem to have identified their top targets.

Jorge Martin was heavily linked with Honda earlier in 2025 as he sought to break his contract with Aprilia. When that move was blocked, they had to settle with what they had, with Zarco sacrificing a factory seat to stay at LCR so long as he had equal machinery.

But Honda are not giving up on Martin just yet, as journalist Guilherme Longo says ‘everyone knows’ he will be with the Japanese giants in 2027. He states that Moreira will be his teammate, as his contract puts him in the mix for a factory seat after one year at LCR.

Discussing Moreira’s move to Honda via Motorsport Brasil, Longo said: “And one thing to look forward to in 2027 is who his teammate will be, because everyone knows that Honda for 2027 is who’s on the main team, Jorge Martin.

“And so it will be interesting to see this duo of Jorge Martin and Diogo Moreira. The two are very good friends.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend

Jorge Martin is Honda’s top target for 2027

Honda were preparing a three-year deal for Martin if he left Aprilia at the end of the season. But after Dorna denied a move, they had to retreat, but they have always kept the Spaniard in mind.

Martin is Honda’s top target for 2027, with his contract at Aprilia set to expire at the end of next year. The Japanese giants are expected to be strong contenders under the new regulations, which could attract the 2024 MotoGP champion.

However, Aprilia have proven to have a competitive package as they have challenged Ducati the most out of any manufacturer in 2025. An injury-free season on the RS-GP in 2026 could be enough to convince him to stay put.

If he commits to Aprilia beyond 2026, their Japanese rivals have alternatives lined up. Honda are ‘incredibly interested’ in Fabio Quartararo as he considers his future at Yamaha.