David Alonso will ride a Honda MotoGP bike in 2027, but the colours he will sport are currently unclear, and the team must avoid throwing him straight into the factory team.
Honda confirmed Alonso’s signing on Tuesday, putting pen to paper on a contract directly with HRC. The Colombian had been linked with Ducati and Yamaha, but they were unwilling to give him a factory bike in 2027.
He will ride factory machinery next season, but Honda did not confirm whether he would race for HRC or LCR. The Japanese giants have been having doubts about their rider line-up, and the solution is obvious.
David Alonso will ride a Honda in MotoGP from 2027 🇨🇴 What are your expectations for his rookie season?
David Alonso must not race for the factory Honda team in 2027
Honda have their riders locked in for 2027, with Fabio Quartararo joining HRC and Johann Zarco being contracted to LCR, but he is still recovering from his Barcelona injuries. That leaves two riders currently displaced – Alonso and Diogo Moreira.
It was believed that the former would partner with Quartararo and the latter, who signed a three-year factory contract last year, would remain at LCR. However, Honda may now have other ideas.
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Honda are considering moving Alonso to LCR instead, as they are supposedly unimpressed with his efforts in Moto2 this season. After finishing ninth in 2025, the Colombian is fourth in the standings at the halfway point, 79.5 points behind leader Manu Gonzalez.
Recent results have improved, with Alonso grabbing his first win of the season at Assen, but he has only been on the podium one other time. This inconsistency has prompted Honda to look at promoting Moreira to HRC instead.
The Brazilian has had a hugely impressive rookie season with LCR in 2026, with 48 points and a best finish of sixth thus far. Honda value Moreira highly, and keeping him at the satellite team over Alonso would hamper his development.
You’re in charge of Honda, which rider are you signing as Fabio Quartararo’s teammate for 2027?
Alonso and Moreira both have factory contracts in 2027
Moreira is ahead of Alonso in his progression and experience, and it would make little sense to promote the latter, especially when he is not showing consistent results. He needs time to develop, and sending him to LCR with Zarco would be perfect for that.
Partnering him with Quartararo straight away would put immense and unnecessary pressure on a completely unproven rookie. LCR want Honda to promote Moreira, and that is exactly what they should do, which is the best outcome for all parties.
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