Honda is planning for the prospect of fielding six bikes on the MotoGP grid next season, a goal that hinges on securing an agreement with a second satellite team, Autosport has learned.
Between 2014 and 2019, Honda went from supplying eight bikes on the MotoGP grid to running just four. However, Autosport understands that the Tokyo-based manufacturer is already planning next season on the assumption that it will increase its presence with two additional prototypes, bringing it back to 2018 levels, when it ran six bikes: two in the factory team and two each with LCR and Marc VDS, its customer teams.
This would broaden Honda’s strategic options across multiple areas, particularly in bike development and in rider management and placement.
In recent months, the Japanese manufacturer’s executives have maintained open lines of communication with all available potential partners, although market conditions have significantly limited their room for manoeuvre.
Honda explored a possible alliance with Trackhouse as well as with Gresini. However, Motorsport.com understands that the American outfit does not intend to break its ties with Aprilia. At the same time, the Faenza-based team is finalising the details of its renewal with Ducati, despite the setback of having to accept the loss of Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer for 2027: the former is heading toward KTM, while the latter will race with VR46, which has leveraged its status as a team with direct Ducati support.
That blow led Nadia Padovani, owner of Gresini, to explore alternative partners before ultimately yielding again to the proposal from Ducati’s Borgo Panigale headquarters, especially given the prospect of assembling an attractive rider line-up with the arrival of Dani Holgado.
As things stand, the Tech3 route is gaining increasing momentum. The former team of Herve Poncharal, sold a few months ago to an investment group with Guenther Steiner as its public face, has been considering a potential change of bike supplier for some time, given the uncertainty surrounding KTM’s future plans under Bajaj, the Indian group that acquired the Austrian company.
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3
Photo by: Evaristo Sa / AFP via Getty Images
Expanding to six bikes instead of four would allow Honda far greater flexibility in managing its rider roster. Motorsport.com understands that the only piece already locked in place is Fabio Quartararo, who would take one of the two seats in the factory team. That would mean Joan Mir or Luca Marini — or possibly both — would have to vacate their current positions.
Aside from Quartararo, the only two riders contracted with Honda beyond 2026 are Diogo Moreira and Johann Zarco, the LCR pairing. The Brazilian, a rookie in the category this 2026 season, is seen as a long-term prospect — his deal runs until 2028 — while the Frenchman’s contract expires in 2027.
HRC is also aiming to sign David Alonso, who will step up from Moto2, and will then decide whether to place him alongside Quartararo in the factory squad or to develop him within a satellite team before promoting him later on.
In any case, having two additional bikes would significantly expand HRC’s range of options, potentially allowing it to retain one of its current riders — most likely Marini, who has already held talks with Yamaha and appears more open than Mir to accepting a role outside the factory team.
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– The Autosport.com Team
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