Marco Bezzecchi
The 2026 MotoGP season is set to be a tough learning year for rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu, but 2027 could be a different story.
Razgatlioglu has admitted he is looking more to 2027 in terms of being competitive in MotoGP. After all, in 2026, he will be riding a much different bike than he was used to in World Superbikes.
Joining Pramac Yamaha, the Iwata outfit have introduced the V4 engine, which Razgatlioglu is trying to get accustomed to. So far, it has not gone as planned, as the factory encountered issues with the bikes at Sepang, plus Razgatlioglu struggled with his seat position.
Podiums, wins, titles? What is Toprak’s CEILING in MotoGP? 🤔
Yamaha look like the slowest manufacturer on the grid heading into 2026, and their new signing has already said he has lost motivation. The V4 and Michelin tyres are proving tough to adapt to, and Yamaha’s engine problems are not helping the situation.
Livio Suppo says it’s ‘impossible’ for Razgatlioglu to be competitive in 2026. But 2027 could be a different ball game as the new regulations come to MotoGP.
Jorge Lorenzo sees ‘drastic’ changes for MotoGP with 2027 regulations
The new 850cc bikes are set to shake up the pecking order, with the ride height device banned and Pirelli rubber replacing Michelin. KTM have already tested their 2027 bike as development begins for next year.
Speaking via Marca, three-time MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo expects dramatic changes in 2027, including a different order to the grid.
Asked if he could foresee changes in 2027, Lorenzo replied: “Yes, 2027 is going to be a very interesting season, and there could be many surprises in terms of power and competitiveness. We could see a Yamaha winning races, or a KTM. The change is so drastic.
“It’s the Pirellis. The tyres change the bike’s behaviour a lot. They say the Pirelli has incredible grip for a single lap, but it drops off considerably over the course of a race. That’s going to change the outcome a lot.
“The engine displacement has changed, the bikes are tall again exiting corners, and they’ve cut half the aerodynamics. There are very significant changes, and luck is going to play a crucial role because you don’t know which factory will benefit most from these new developments.
“Imagine you’re lucky enough to be, for example, at KTM or Yamaha, and these changes work well for them… Well, maybe you’re in the right place at the right time.”
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Jorge Lorenzo thinks Toprak Razgatlioglu will take a ‘significant step forward’ with 2027 Pirelli tyres
Lorenzo urged Yamaha to help Razgatlioglu with the Michelin tyres, as they are, as he has found out, completely different to the Pirelli tyre in WSBK. However, in 2027, the Italian manufacturer will be heading to MotoGP.
Lorenzo sees this as a ‘big advantage’ for the Turkish rider. After one season at Pramac in 2026, where he will have learned the bike, he backs him to make a ‘significant step forward’.
Where do you think Toprak Razgatlioglu will finish on his MotoGP debut?
“In the case of the tyres, I think Toprak will have a big advantage because he’s been riding Pirellis his whole life,” said Lorenzo. “And this year, he’ll be using it as a learning experience for the category.
“With a year of experience and the tyres he knows, he can make a significant step forward. The bikes will be less powerful, but they have much better cornering speed. The riders will have to lean less into the racing line, more like Moto2.”
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