MotoGP Silly Season Explodes
M
otoGP testing only recently
got underway, but on-track
events have taken a backseat as
silly season intensified, with Fa-
bio Quartararo poised for a sen-
sational switch to Honda in 2027,
while Pedro Acosta is in line for a
seat in Ducati's factory team.
While Quartararo insisted
"nothing is signed," sources close
to HRC confirmed to Cycle News
the Frenchman is the favorite to
lead MotoGP's most successful
constructor into the new 850cc
era.
Honda has been known to be
on the lookout for an elite Mo-
toGP name since Marc Marquez's
departure at the close of 2023.
It would have taken on Jorge
Martin for 2026 had the Spaniard
been able to successfully exit his
Aprilia contract last year.
It could mark a statement of
intent from the Japanese brand
as it works to reverse the slump
it found itself in for much of this
decade. Since Marquez's depar-
ture, its MotoGP operation has re-
ceived increased manpower. Now
it could have a rider to match its
ambition, following the Quartara-
ro news reported on Motorsport.
com last Thursday, January 29.
In truth, Quartararo's mind ap-
peared to have been made up in
October last year. The 26-year-old
was far from impressed by the
early version of Yamaha's new V4
YZR-M1. Asked during the Ma-
laysian Grand Prix what it would
take to stay with Yamaha beyond
this year, he stated, "I need to feel
that it's a winning bike."
Pushed on whether this was a
realistic goal for Yamaha, techni-
cal director Max Bartolini told
Cycle News last November, "It's
difficult to say if this will be pos-
sible."
Asked for comment, an official
Yamaha spokesman told Cycle
News, "We do not intend to com-
ment on media speculation. We
continue to work hard and in full
harmony with Fabio, fully focused
on our shared objectives."
WIND
IN THE
P42
Fabio Quartararo looks
all but set to move
to the factory Honda
squad for 2027.
