2026 MotoGP rider line-up: The grid so far, and all the rumours

The current contract situation of every MotoGP rider - and every rumour about what might happen next

Toprak Razgatlioglu
Toprak Razgatlioglu

Here is the latest in the rider line-up for the 2026 MotoGP season - plus the latest rumours about what might be next...

Ducati

Ducati’s “dream team” factory Lenovo line-up of Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez is confirmed for the 2025 and 2026 MotoGP seasons.

Likewise, the satellite Gresini Ducati line-up of Alex Marquez and 2025 rookie Fermin Aldeguer is also set for two seasons.

VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio starts a new two-year factory contract in 2025, but there will be one Desmosedici potentially available for 2026 with team-mate Franco Morbidelli currently on a one-year deal.

Pedro Acosta has been rumoured as a target for VR46. Valentino Rossi is close to Acosta, and the VR46 team have failed to quell talk that an link-up might happen.

KTM

The recent financial turmoil aside, all four RC16 riders - Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta at the factory KTM team and Tech3’s new signings Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini - are comntracted until the end of 2026.

However, rumours persist that KTM could lose their crown jewel.

Acosta has warned the manufacturer that he will not be patient in his desperation for a bike which could allow him to challenge for race wins and championships.

Honda and VR46 have been mentioned as destinations but KTM will fancy their chances of keeping Acosta locked into his deal.

Tech3's Bastianini is also a question mark. In Italy, reports suggest he could find a new home in 2026.

Aprilia

Jorge Martin
Jorge Martin

Jorge Martin is the key issue at Aprilia.

The MotoGP penned a two-year deal at the start of 2025 but announced he wanted to use a break clause to find a new team for next year.

Martin has seemingly U-turned on that, despite the obvious interest from Honda. The competitiveness of Aprilia's bike could keep Martin interested, though.

Marco Bezzecchi, his factory teammate, is tied in for 2026 with Aprilia.

Trackhouse riders Raul Fernandez and 2025 rookie Ai Ogura are also starting two-year deals this year.

But Fernandez's stay in 2026 is far from guaranteed - he is enduring a difficult campaign.

Yamaha

The factory Monster Yamaha team of Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins are contracted until the end of 2026.

But Quartararo has repeatedly warned Honda that he won't be satisfied unless they provide a competitive bike - that is despite him being the highest-paid MotoGP rider.

Yamaha's desperation to become a front-running team again means there is also scrutiny on Rins' factory status despite him being contracted.

Significantly, Pramac Yamaha will welcome Toprak Razgatlioglu next year.

Razgatlioglu is swapping the World Superbike Championship for MotoGP in 2026.

That means either Jack Miller or Miguel Oliveira (or both) will be replaced. Miller's deal expires at the end of 2025, Oliveira's at the end of 2026. However, clauses mean the Portuguese is far from safe.

Honda

Honda could see the most rider changes for 2026 with LCR's Johann Zarco (Honda's leading rider of 2024, and often their best in 2025 too), Luca Marini and potentially rookie Somkiat Chantra free agents at the end of 2025.

That leaves Suzuki’s 2020 world champion Joan Mir as the only Honda rider officially confirmed for the 2026 MotoGP grid.

There is clamour for the vacant factory Honda race seat next year.

Zarco is among the contenders to step up from LCR where he already enjoys factory support.

Jorge Martin or Pedro Acosta were reportedly dream signings for Honda but could be out of reach. Alberto Puig has dismissed dream claims that they could try to bring Marc Marquez back.

2026 MotoGP rider line-up so far:
RiderTeamContract
Marc MarquezDucati Lenovo TeamEnd of 2026.
Francesco BagnaiaDucati Lenovo TeamEnd of 2026.
Pedro AcostaRed Bull KTM Factory Racing"Multi-year contract" (2026)
Brad BinderRed Bull KTM Factory RacingEnd of 2026.
Jorge MartinAprilia Racing"Multi-year contract" (2026).
Marco BezzecchiAprilia Racing"Multi-year contract" (2026).
Fabio QuartararoMonster Energy Yamaha MotoGPEnd of 2026.
Alex RinsMonster Energy Yamaha MotoGPEnd of 2026.
(Luca Marini)?Honda HRCEnd of 2025.
Joan MirHonda HRCEnd of 2026.
Fabio di GiannantonioPertamina Enduro VR46Ducati contract, end of 2026.
(Franco Morbidelli)?Pertamina Enduro VR46End of 2025.
Alex MarquezGresini Racing MotoGPGresini contract, end of 2026
Fermin AldeguerGresini Racing MotoGP
Ducati contract, end of 2026. Option for two further years.
Miguel OliveiraPrima Pramac RacingYamaha contract, end of 2026.*
Toprak RazgatliogluPrima Pramac RacingYamaha contract, end of 2027.
(Johann Zarco)?LCR Honda CastrolHRC contract, end of 2025.
Somkiat ChantraLCR Honda IdemitsuHRC contract, end of 2025 (option for 2026).
Raul FernandezTrackhouse MotoGPEnd of 2026.
Ai OguraTrackhouse MotoGPEnd of 2026.
Maverick VinalesRed Bull KTM Tech3"Multi-year contract" (2026).
Enea BastianiniRed Bull KTM Tech3"Multi-year contract" (2026).
   
Out of contract at the end of 2025
Luca MariniHonda HRC2025
Franco MorbidelliPertamina Enduro VR462025
Jack MillerPrima Pramac Racing2025
Johann ZarcoLCR Honda Idemitsu2025
Miguel OliveiraPrima Pramac Racing2026 depends on contract clauses.

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