- Multi-year contract with Honda Racing Corporation starting in the 2027 season
- 20 wins, 30 podiums and nine pole positions across Moto3 and Moto2
- First laps on the Honda at the Valencia test after the season finale
Honda Racing Corporation has made the move official: David Alonso will step up to MotoGP in 2027 and has signed a multi-year contract to do so. The 20-year-old Colombian has been one of the most eye-catching young riders in grand prix racing for years. Only one key question remains open for now: whether Alonso will ride for HRC’s factory team or the LCR satellite squad has not yet been confirmed.
Who is David Alonso?
David Alonso is a 20-year-old racer from Colombia who has worked his way up through the smaller classes of motorcycle world championship racing. In 2023, he finished third overall as a Moto3 rookie. The following year he dominated the class and secured the title. Since 2025 he has been racing in Moto2, where he took his first win in the intermediate category at the Hungarian Grand Prix. In the current 2026 season he sits fourth in the championship. Across both classes combined, he has 20 wins, 30 podiums and nine pole positions to his name.
What does the move mean for Honda?
For Honda, Alonso is another building block in the overhaul of its MotoGP project. The Japanese manufacturer is restructuring its rider lineup for 2027 and is banking on young talent from Moto2. Alonso brings a strong record from the junior classes and is expected to make the leap into the premier class. His first rollout on the Honda is planned for the Valencia test right after the final race of the 2026 season.
Why is it still unclear which team Alonso will ride for?
The team question remains open because Honda has not yet decided who will sit in the factory team in 2027. Besides Alonso, Diogo Moreira is also a candidate for the seat alongside Fabio Quartararo. Quartararo is expected to move from Yamaha to Honda in 2027, though this has not yet been officially confirmed. Moreira already holds a contract with HRC and could be promoted from the LCR satellite team into the factory squad. If Moreira moves up, the path would be clear for Alonso to join LCR, where Johann Zarco is contracted until the end of 2027. What is clear so far is only this: Alonso will ride a Honda, with the exact team to be announced later.
What is changing in MotoGP in 2027?
2027 marks the start of a new technical era for MotoGP. Engine capacity shrinks from 1000cc to 850cc, and the tyres will come from Pirelli instead of Michelin. In addition, so-called ride-height devices – the systems that lower the chassis at the start and in corners – will be banned. Aerodynamics will also be scaled back. For newcomers arriving from Moto2, the transition is somewhat more level, since every rider starts from zero under the new regulations. Alonso thus joins a rookie class that is set to reshape the grid significantly.
How much will the grid change?
The rider lineup is set to experience one of its biggest shake-ups in years for the new season. Several experienced riders are switching manufacturers, and a whole batch of Moto2 riders are moving up. Alongside Alonso, Dani Holgado, Izan Guevara and Senna Agius are among those tipped for promotion. Holgado, Alonso’s Moto2 teammate, has already been officially confirmed for Gresini Ducati. With the influx of young riders, several established grand prix winners are coming under pressure and will have to fight for their seats.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which team will David Alonso join in MotoGP?
David Alonso is moving to Honda in 2027 and has signed a multi-year contract. Whether he will race for the HRC factory team or the LCR satellite team has not yet been confirmed.
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When will David Alonso make his MotoGP debut on the Honda?
His first laps on the Honda are scheduled for the Valencia test after the 2026 season finale. He will then start competing in the championship from 2027.
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What has David Alonso achieved in the smaller classes?
Alonso finished third in the standings as a Moto3 rookie in 2023 and won the title in the class in 2024. Combined across Moto3 and Moto2, he has 20 wins, 30 podiums and nine pole positions.
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Who will ride alongside David Alonso at Honda in 2027?
Fabio Quartararo, who is expected to join from Yamaha, is seen as the likely factory teammate. This has not yet been officially confirmed, and Diogo Moreira is also a candidate for the factory seat.
