Marco Bezzecchi
With Fabio Quartararo expected to join Honda for the 2027 season, Yamaha now face a strategic nightmare that makes Toprak Razgatlioglu the most vital link in their chain.
It is widely reported that Quartararo has lost patience with Yamaha and their new V4 engine before it has even been raced. So, the 2021 MotoGP champion is finalising a move to Honda for 2027, which raises a huge issue for Yamaha with information the most valuable currency.
Quartararo has agreed to leave Yamaha for Honda in 2027, but talks are still ongoing to sort the final details of his expected two-year contract with the Tokyo-based outfit. Aprilia spoke with Quartararo about a move for 2027, as well, but his salary demands put them off a deal.
The Frenchman’s decision to leave Yamaha after the 2026 MotoGP season is also set to see Razgatlioglu adopt a far greater role for the Iwata crew, even though he has yet to make his debut. Razgatlioglu is set to make his debut for Pramac in this Sunday’s Thailand Grand Prix.
Predict the order of the Yamaha riders in the 2026 MotoGP standings
Yamaha have made it clear that Fabio Quartararo will not develop their 2027 bike if he is joining Honda
Razgatlioglu is now due to be the most valuable asset in Yamaha’s rider stable in 2026, as he is currently the only man with a contract for the Japanese brand beyond the end of the year. Factory rider Alex Rins and Pramac pilot Jack Miller are currently out of contract this season.
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And Rins and Miller could fall into the same category as Quartararo, who El Periodico claims Yamaha have made clear they do not want to test their 850cc bike built to the 2027 MotoGP regulations. MotoGP is set to overhaul the aero regulations and also ban ride height devices.
Yamaha have decided to only allow riders who will race on their 850cc bike in 2027 to help develop it. So, Quartararo’s expected move to Honda has put him out of favour in Yamaha’s plans, as they do not want him moving to their Japanese rival with all of their bike’s secrets.
Toprak Razgatlioglu is now the most important rider among Yamaha’s 2026 MotoGP roster
Yamaha’s decision to remove Quartararo from their development plans for their 850cc bike for 2027 has made Razgatlioglu the most important man out of the Iwata crew’s 2026 rider roster. Test riders Augusto Fernandez and Andrea Dovizioso will also be vital to its progress.
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Razgatlioglu was already due to help Yamaha with his knowledge of the Pirelli tyres used in the World Superbike Championship, ahead of the Italian firm replacing Michelin as the sole tyre provider to MotoGP in 2027. But he will now adopt a much greater test rider role, too.
The 29-year-old has switched to MotoGP in the final year of the 1,000cc regulations era and Michelin’s time supplying the tyres to learn a number of the circuits on the calendar and to adapt to life as a MotoGP rider. Now, Razgatlioglu is set to also face having to be a test rider.
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