Diogo Moreira reveals the advice Marc Marquez gave him about Honda before he signed LCR deal

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Brazilian Moto2 star Diogo Moreira will step up to MotoGP in 2026 after signing a three-year contract with Honda.

The 21-year-old completes the MotoGP grid for the 2026 season as Moreira joins LCR next season. He will partner with Johann Zarco after replacing the struggling Somkiat Chantra, who will move over to Honda’s WSBK project.

Moreira comes to the premier class as a strong talent for the future. He is currently second in Moto2 in 2025, sitting nine points behind championship leader Manu Gonzalez with four races to go.

Signing a three-year factory contract, Moreira is already being lined up for Honda HRC in 2027, with Aprilia’s Jorge Martin also a target. The Brazilian had several offers from MotoGP manufacturers, but Marc Marquez was in his corner to guide him to his former team.

Diogo Moreira reveals Marc Marquez told him Honda was the right choice for 2026 MotoGP move

The Ant of Cervera has a close relationship with the 21-year-old protege. It has even been reported that Marquez was ‘courting’ Moreira to join Ducati and link up with one of their teams.

However, the Brazilian opted to join Honda amid interest from rivals. Speaking via Motorsport Espana in the paddock at the Australian Grand Prix, Moreira revealed that Marquez helped him decide on the Japanese giants.

“I spoke with Marc, who has always helped me. First, when I arrived in Spain. And then, in the World Championship. And I hope it continues like this,” he said.

“I asked him about several specific aspects of what I had to choose from. Márquez spent ten years at Honda, so there was no better advice than his.”

While Moreira was already convinced of Honda, Marquez, who won six titles with them between 2013 and 2019, gave him the final word he needed: “For Marc, of all the options presented to me, this was the right one. 

“I was clear that I wanted to go to Honda, and Marc reaffirmed that my choice was the right one.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Diogo Moreira from net worth to height

Diogo Moreira’s father shares why he rejected Yamaha in favour of Honda

Moreira was heavily linked with Yamaha for 2026, who considered him as an option to partner with Toprak Razgatlioglu at Pramac. But he turned their offer down in favour of Honda.

Speaking to Grande Premio, Moreira’s father, Luiz Nascimento, shared why his son turned Yamaha down: “He had offers from other brands, almost every brand in the paddock, but the two best ones were from Yamaha and Honda. He opted for Honda because Honda’s future-oriented approach was better.

“Yamaha also had a very good offer for Diogo, but Honda fit his profile better in terms of the future, the bike, and everything else. And the decision was made with the family as well. Always. Decisions are always made with the family.”

Yamaha could not guarantee Moreira a factory seat like Honda could, with the Brazilian on equal machinery with Zarco, Luca Marini and Joan Mir in 2026.