- Fabio Quartararo is set to leave Yamaha and ride for Honda from 2027
- Jorge Martin is reportedly set to move from Aprilia to Yamaha
- Both transfers are linked to the new MotoGP regulations coming into force in 2027
January 29, 2026, is already considered a date that could influence the long-term course of MotoGP. Within a few hours, reports emerged about two transfers that should not be viewed in isolation, but are directly related to each other. Honda and Yamaha are responding to sporting developments in recent years and are aligning their rider line-ups early on for the new 850cc era.
Fabio Quartararo: Farewell to Yamaha after a long partnership
For Fabio Quartararo, the end of an eight-year relationship with Yamaha is looming. Since his MotoGP debut in 2019, the Frenchman has been the manufacturer’s sporting figurehead. The highlight came in 2021 with the world championship title.
In the following years, however, the competitiveness of the Yamaha M1 deteriorated noticeably. In 2023, Quartararo finished the season in tenth place, followed by 13th place in 2024 without a podium finish. Despite a financially attractive contract until the end of 2026, doubts grew as to whether Yamaha would be able to provide a winning package again in the short term.
The strategic restart with a V4 engine from 2026 apparently did little to change this. Quartararo is said to have decided against a future with Yamaha even before the new engine was first used. His public statement from the fall underscores this stance:
“I have experienced many years with problems, now I want a winning bike.”
Honda as a new sporting prospect for Quartararo
The planned move to Honda should be seen in this context. Honda has been investing heavily for some time in returning to the top of MotoGP and is clearly focusing on the regulations from 2027 onwards. With new technical staff and an expanded testing program, the aim is to lay the foundation for a competitive prototype.
Quartararo would play a central role in this environment. The deal is considered to be at an advanced stage, but has not yet been officially confirmed. Statements from management indicate that details still need to be clarified.
Jorge Martin: Difficult phase at Aprilia and a new opportunity at Yamaha
Parallel to Quartararo’s thoughts of a change, there are increasing indications that Jorge Martin will be leaving Aprilia. The 2024 MotoGP world champion moved from Ducati to the Noale-based manufacturer in 2025 after failing to secure a place in the factory team there.
However, his time at Aprilia has been problematic. Martin suffered serious injuries during pre-season testing, and further crashes and setbacks followed during the course of the season. Although he did manage a top-10 finish and a fourth place at one point, overall the year fell well short of expectations. In addition, contract discussions that became public strained the relationship between the rider and the manufacturer.
An early move to Honda did not materialize. With Quartararo’s presumed commitment there, this option was finally closed. Other alternatives were considered unrealistic, leaving Yamaha as the obvious solution.
Yamaha is counting on Martin for a fresh start in racing
According to several reports, Jorge Martin has already reached an agreement with Yamaha. The contract for the 2027 season is said to be ready, but has yet to be signed. Formally, this could happen in the coming days.
For Yamaha, Martin would be a key component in its own new start. After difficult years in terms of sporting success, the world champion is expected to contribute to the development of the new project and bring long-term stability. The fact that Yamaha made an early effort to find a replacement for Quartararo underscores the strategic importance of this step.
Unanswered questions and possible consequences for the rider market
The departures of Quartararo and Martin have a direct impact on other riders. The contracts of Alex Rins in the Yamaha factory team and Jack Miller at Pramac expire at the end of 2026. Both are under scrutiny due to poor results.
At the same time, Toprak Razgatlioglu is coming into focus. The three-time Superbike World Champion will join Pramac Racing in MotoGP in 2026 and has a direct Yamaha contract until the end of 2027. This would also make a later promotion to the factory team possible.
Two world champions trigger a chain reaction
The almost simultaneous decisions by Quartararo and Martin illustrate how strongly the MotoGP rider market is already focused on the future. Both riders are looking for sporting prospects beyond short-term results, while Honda and Yamaha are defining their roles for the new era starting in 2027.
Official confirmations are still pending. Nevertheless, it is likely that these two changes will be the starting point for further significant decisions in the paddock.
What does this mean for me as a MotoGP fan?
For MotoGP fans, this development means one thing above all: the coming years will be strongly influenced by long-term strategies and less by short-term results. With Fabio Quartararo’s presumed move to Honda and Jorge Martin’s to Yamaha, two of the most influential riders of the present are clearly focusing their attention on the new regulations from 2027 onwards. As a result, the 2025 and 2026 seasons could be perceived more as transitional years, with the focus on development, testing, and preparation. At the same time, the excitement is mounting as several teams and riders have to redefine their roles. For fans, this means less planning security, more speculation, frequent personnel debates, and a paddock that is already moving towards a new era of MotoGP.
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