Marco Bezzecchi
LCR owner Lucio Cecchinello believes Yamaha should not block Fabio Quartararo from testing their 850cc bike at Brno because he is joining Honda, as he can be a key asset.
The MotoGP field are set to stay at Brno for one additional day next Monday after the Czech Grand Prix to hold the first official 850cc test with Pirelli tyres. It is now believed to also be a private test, given that Michelin remains the sole official tyre provider for MotoGP this term.
Until now, the five constructors in Yamaha, Ducati, Honda, KTM and Aprilia have only tested their 850cc bikes set to be introduced next year in private sessions with their test riders. Yet the spate of moves in the market means many race riders are set to switch brands in 2027.
Quartararo falls into the category of race riders who are set to switch brands, as it is an open secret that the 2021 MotoGP riders’ champion will leave Yamaha and join Honda for 2027. It is widely said that Quartararo agreed a two-year contract for Honda before the 2026 season.
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Fabio Quartararo can provide Yamaha ‘important data’ by testing their 850cc bike at Brno
Yet Cecchinello thinks Yamaha should still let Quartararo test their 850cc bike at Brno, as the Frenchman can provide “important data” for the bike’s further development. Thus, the LCR boss would not be surprised if Quartararo or the other riders who are set to move take part.
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“It’s a situation that affects practically all the teams, given that some factory riders have apparently already signed with other manufacturers,” Cecchinello told GPOne.
“I wouldn’t rule out, however, that, for example, Quartararo might test the Yamaha, or [Joan] Mir and [Luca] Marini the Honda, because these are still important data points that the manufacturer will take into account.
“And, above all, the current rider gives them the chance to provide much clearer, real-world feedback on the bike’s dynamic behaviours.”
It is believed that the five MotoGP manufacturers will only be allowed to test with two bikes at Brno due to the limited number of tyres that Pirelli will supply for the private session. But Yamaha face the prospect of only being able to call on Pramac’s Toprak Razgatlioglu at Brno.
Razgatlioglu is the only Yamaha rider with a confirmed contract for 2027, as he signed a two-year deal to debut in MotoGP for Pramac in 2026. Like Quartararo, Alex Rins and Jack Miller are expected to leave the Yamaha stable come the end of the 2026 season for pastures new.
Jorge Martin is expected to replace Quartararo at Yamaha, and it is said that the Iwata squad have signed Ai Ogura to replace Alex Rins from 2027. Thus, Martin is not expected to test for Aprilia at Brno, and Trackhouse’s Ogura will also not get a chance to try Aprilia’s 850cc bike.
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