The most underpaid rider in MotoGP may be in line for a bumper new contract

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There may only be one rider on the current MotoGP grid who’s earning in eight figures – Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo. Quartararo’s 2024 contract extension is believed to be worth £10m per year.

Behind him, there’s a large group of riders on seven-figure salaries. World champion Marc Marquez picks up a base salary of £2.6m at Ducati, but bonuses have more than doubled that figure this year.

Marquez told Ducati that wages weren’t his motivation when he joined the factory team in 2025. Winning again was his priority, though he may expect a pay rise if he is to stay with the Bologna outfit.

Meanwhile, teammate Francesco Bagnaia takes home £6.5m, rising to £8m with bonuses. Jorge Martin, Joan Mir, Johann Zarco, Pedro Acosta, Enea Bastianini, Maverick Vinales, Alex Rins and Jack Miller also feature in the seven-figure club.

Marco Bezzecchi is the most underpaid rider on the MotoGP grid

At the other end of the scale sits Marco Bezzecchi, who’s understood to be on £250k per year at Aprilia. Bezzecchi joined the team at the start of 2025 after leaving VR46.

The Italian was one of the standout riders of the season. Only Marquez won more races, and nobody scored more points in the second half of the season, a sequence that powered Bezzecchi to third place.

Teammate Jorge Martin was the centre of attention before the season started, but his injuries have led to Bezzecchi becoming the team’s leader.

Journalist Simon Patterson believes Bezzecchi will sign a new Aprilia contract pretty quickly, and it’s bound to be on much more favourable terms. For reference, Raul Fernandez, who finished 10th in the standings on the same Aprilia bike, and 2025 rookie Fermin Aldeguer are also earning £250k.

Bezzecchi can argue that his performances have placed him in the top bracket of riders, and he deserves to be compensated as such. Aprilia took a gamble by signing him but they are thrilled with the results.

VR46 may regret losing Bezzecchi after seeing Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli deliver somewhat indifferent seasons.

The one obstacle in Marco Bezzecchi’s Aprilia contract negotiations

Aprilia don’t have the financial clout to compete with manufacturers like Honda and Yamaha. Jorge Martin could still leave, which would free up some more funds.

However, that money could then be spent on another high-profile target. Aprilia have been linked with Quartararo, who says he’s now prioritising competitiveness over cash.

Bezzecchi may be asked to sacrifice some funds so Massimo Rivola’s squad can compete for one of the grid’s most coveted riders.