Marco Bezzecchi
Luca Marini is among multiple riders who are out of contract in the 2026 MotoGP season, but his chances of securing another seat are slim.
The Italian was retained by Honda for another year in 2025, having secured the manufacturer’s C-rank in the concession system last year. Marini displayed strong consistency on the RC213V, scoring points in all but one race he finished.
Predict the order of the Honda riders in the 2026 MotoGP standings
But top results have been hard to come by, with him grabbing two podiums and no wins throughout his entire MotoGP career to date. With Honda looking to make the next step back towards the front, Marini’s future is not looking good.
The factory team have already made their move on the MotoGP rider market for next year. Fabio Quartararo is set to join Honda from Yamaha in 2027 onwards, leaving the second seat next to him available.
Luca Marini is ‘not at the top’ of any MotoGP team’s 2027 wish list
It was previously reported that Marini would be chosen as Quartararo’s teammate in 2027. He is well-liked by Honda, but the Japanese giants have since changed their mind.
Moto2 star David Alonso is reportedly joining Honda and partnering with Quartararo. With LCR having Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira locked in for 2027, Marini now faces leaving the team.
Would Honda securing a second satellite team in 2027 be good for MotoGP?
As per a report from Speedweek, it is ‘unlikely’ that the factory Honda team, or the satellite team, for that matter, is a realistic option for the 28-year-old.
VR46 does not seem viable either, with Marini having graduated from Valentino Rossi’s academy to MotoGP in 2021. His last remaining option could be Yamaha, with one seat being available as Jorge Martin is set to replace Quartararo.
Marini has had talks with Yamaha, but the report states that those discussions only came about after their primary target, Francesco Bagnaia, signed with Aprilia. The Honda rider is ‘not at the top’ of any MotoGP team’s wish list for 2027.
READ MORE: Get to know Luca Marini, from his net worth to half-brother Valentino Rossi
Is Yamaha Luca Marini’s last chance in MotoGP?
Despite the bleak reality of his future, many insiders are convinced that Yamaha will sign Marini for 2027 alongside Martin.
Quartararo and Alex Rins look set to leave the Iwata outfit next year, with the former heading to Honda and the latter losing his seat due to a lack of results and struggles with the injury he sustained in 2023.
Pramac’s Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlioglu could also be options, but Marini’s skill as a development rider makes him an attractive option for Yamaha, especially when they want to get out of their current crisis at the back of the grid.
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