Fabio Quartararo’s move to Honda has finally been confirmed, the best part of six months after the news first emerged.
It was first reported during pre-season testing that Quartararo had agreed to defect from one Japanese manufacturer to another. After Marc Marquez committed to staying at Ducati, the Frenchman was the first mover in MotoGP’s silly season.
On current form, it looks like a sideways (or, rather, diagonal) move for Quartararo given that Honda are second from bottom in the pecking order. But the assumption is that MotoGP’s most successful team will be contenders again following the regulation changes, so this was still one of the most coveted spots on the grid.
What version of Fabio Quartararo will we see at Honda next year?
Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta were Honda’s top targets for 2027
As the rider himself confirmed in a recent interview, Marquez spoke to Honda before they finalised their line-up. The prospect of a reunion was never serious, but the #93 was the aspirational plan A.
In terms of more realistic targets, Honda pursued KTM’s Pedro Acosta. According to Speedweek, they were ready to offer him a €30m (£26m contract).
But Acosta was determined to test himself against Marquez, which is why he chose to sign for Ducati instead.
It can be inferred that Quartararo was effectively the plan C, which makes sense. He is probably the third most desirable rider on the market right now.
Marc Marquez has closed the door on returning to Honda – Has he made a mistake?
Marquez remains the clear number one despite his fitness troubles and then, on current performance, Acosta and Quartararo are extremely difficult to separate, not least because the latter is riding an underpowered bike.
But because Acosta is five years younger at 22, he is the more exciting option. In theory, his ceiling could be higher.
Honda now have a superstar to lead their project after three seasons without one post-Marquez. Quartararo will partner one of the brightest talents in Grand Prix racing (either Diogo Moreira or David Alonso).
And crucially, Quartararo might well be a Marquez-beater if Honda give him the tools. KTM, Aprilia and Yamaha have all made big moves, but there are larger question marks over the ultimate potential of their riders.
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