MotoGP Silly Season Update
W
ord on the ground in Malay-
sia at the recent MotoGP
test was that MotoGP's factory
teams could have their 2027,
yes, 2027, lineups signed and
confirmed before race one of the
2026 season. The likes of Pedro
Acosta (Ducati), Fabio Quartararo
(Honda) and Jorge Martin (Ya-
maha) did little to deny the previ-
ous week's news that they could
be leaving their current team and
manufacturer.
And there was a further rumor
at Sepang. "Everybody's talking to
everybody," confirmed Honda HRC
Castrol Team Manager Alberto
Puig. First, Alex Marquez is weigh-
ing up an offer to join KTM's fac-
tory team to replace the outgoing
Acosta. Last year's runner-up also
has an offer to stay at Gresini but
repeatedly indicated a preference
to ride for a factory team.
"I'd say the most solid [op-
tion] is Gresini," said the younger
Marquez brother. "I know the
team, I know everything. And the
emotional side that is important
for a rider is there. But if there's
one year you can take risks, it's
next year. Because nobody knows
which [factory] will be the best
one. So, I will see. For that reason,
everything in the market is quite
crazy, because everybody wants
the top riders."
The Gresini rider is sure his fu-
ture will be decided when the first
lights go out in early March 2026.
"Before the first race, I will
decide," he said. "I will have [it]
clear what I will do in '27. But at
the moment, I'm quite calm. I
know which options we have on
the table. But I'm still working on
that. If I can decide before the
test in Thailand, I will do it. If not, I
will wait a little bit. But before the
first race, I want to have my future
closed."
Another name popping up in
the rumor mill was Pecco Bag-
naia. As the Italian is on course
WIND
IN THE
P24
Will we see Alex Marquez in
KTM orange in 2027?
