Toprak Razgatlioglu admits he will find it ‘difficult’ fighting for 15th place at Pramac in 2026

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Toprak Razgatlioglu enters MotoGP as the reigning World Superbikes champion. He won the title in both 2024 and 2025.

Razgatlioglu took victory in 21 out of 36 races last year, and scored a further 10 podiums. But as he prepares to make his Grand Prix debut with Pramac, he has to recalibrate.

Paolo Campinoti’s team finished bottom of the teams’ standings last year with 125 points. They were the only team in MotoGP not to score a podium of any description.

Yamaha are prioritising development in the first half of 2026 as they introduce their V4 engine. Thus, serial winner Razgatlioglu can expect to be fighting in the lower midfield.

Toprak Razgatlioglu expects to emulate Nicolo Bulega in early MotoGP races

Razgatlioglu’s debut comes after former WSBK rival Nicolo Bulega filled in for the injured Marc Marquez at the final two rounds of the 2025 season. That offers him an immediate benchmark, even if he will enjoy far more preparation.

Bulega, who only tested the Ducati once in Jerez before his Portugal outing, finished 15th twice. Razgatlioglu is expecting to occupy ‘the same positions’ at first.

It may be difficult for the 29-year-old to ‘look at the timing screens’ at first, but he’s optimistic that he can get Pramac back on the podium before the year is out. Yamaha should then deliver a ‘significantly better’ bike for 2027 under the new regulations.

“In the first few races, I’ll probably finish in the same positions as Bulega,” he told Speedweek. “Once I’ve gotten used to the bike and found my perfect riding position, we might be able to achieve some good results. I’m hoping for a podium finish – that would be great motivation for 2027.

“If we actually manage to get on the podium in 2026, that would be incredible. Then I’ll probably sign up right away until 2029!

“I expect more success in 2027. Then we’ll have the Pirelli tyres and a different motorcycle. I think Yamaha will deliver a significantly better package for 2027.

“For me, that’s difficult because I’ve always been someone who wanted to win races. During tests and race weekends, I’m constantly looking at the timing screens.

“It’s different in MotoGP. I have to realise that the first year is for learning. I have to block out the monitors and concentrate on my work. But that’s not easy – I always want more. I’m a racer!”

‘Maybe he’ll learn something from me’ – Toprak Razgatlioglu on Fabio Quartararo

One rider who’s unlikely to tolerate mediocrity is Fabio Quartararo, who has made clear that he wants a winning bike immediately. If Yamaha fail to provide it, he will explore the market.

Razgatlioglu is pleased with the Yamaha V4, while Quartararo has seemed frustrated with a perceived lack of progress. He managed to bag five poles and three podiums on last year’s M1, while the other three riders could only muster one top-six finish between them.

Razgatlioglu is eager to test himself against the 2021 world champion and believes their collaboration could be mutually beneficial.

“Fabio is a very strong rider – that’s good for me too,” he said. “I’ll probably have to learn a lot from him. But maybe he’ll learn something from me too. We ride for the same manufacturer and can see each other’s data.”