Honda are rolling out the red carpet for David Alonso after announcing that he has now signed for the Japanese brand to make his MotoGP debut during the 2027 season.
Alonso had long been linked with Honda as the Tokyo crew sought to reshape their ranks for the start of the 850cc era next year. He will join current LCR pilots Diogo Moreira and Johann Zarco plus fellow new Honda racer Fabio Quartararo in the squad’s roster from next season.
Honda announced the signing of Alonso this Tuesday, with it confirmed only that he has put pen to a multi-year factory contract with HRC. They decided against announcing which team he will ride with, as it is still possible that Moreira could beat Alonso to a factory Honda ride.
David Alonso will ride a Honda in MotoGP from 2027 🇨🇴 What are your expectations for his rookie season?
Santi Hernandez will be David Alonso’s MotoGP crew chief regardless of his 2027 team
Whichever of Alonso or Moreira gets the factory Honda ride for 2027 will join 2021 MotoGP champion Quartararo in Tokyo, while the other will race for LCR. Unlike with Alonso’s move, Honda have confirmed the signing of Quartararo for their works team ahead of his contract with their arch Japanese rivals Yamaha expiring at the end of the 2026 season in November.
READ MORE: Who is Moto2 sensation David Alonso? Everything you need to know
Honda announcing Alonso’s graduation from Moto2 without stating which team he will ride for from 2027 shows they have not ruled on whether he or Moreira will partner Quartararo.
But The Race reports that Honda have already decided that Santi Hernandez will be Alonso’s crew chief regardless of whether he represents HRC or LCR next year. Honda viewed giving Hernandez to Alonso as a ‘sweetener’ to secure his services while they still decide his team.
Hernandez currently works with Joan Mir, but Honda have chosen against offering the 2020 MotoGP champion or teammate Luca Marini new contracts for 2027. Meanwhile, Marini’s current crew chief Christian Pupulin is reportedly in line to become Quartararo’s crew chief.
Honda have offered Hernandez to Alonso as they wanted the man who worked very closely with Marc Marquez to support their rising star’s graduation to MotoGP. Hernandez served as Marquez’s crew chief from his 2011 Moto2 season through to his exit from Honda in 2024.
Together, Hernandez helped Marquez seal second in the 2011 Moto2 season before he won the intermediate class title in 2012 and then graduated to MotoGP in 2013. Marquez sealed his first MotoGP title as a rookie in 2013, as well, and also won six in his first seven seasons.
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