Toprak Razgatlioglu has been linked to the Pramac MotoGP team as his World Superbikes contract winds down. Speculation about a move to Honda has cooled.
Razgatlioglu previously represented Yamaha, who supply Pramac’s bikes, in the series between 2020 and 2023. He won his first world title in their colours in 2021 and scored runner-up finishes in each of the next two seasons.
The Turkish rider joined BMW last year and the move immediately paid off as he bagged his second championship. But with Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega leading the standings in 2025, he’s considering his options.
| YEAR | TEAM | POS |
| 2018 | Kawasaki | 9th |
| 2019 | Kawasaki | 5th |
| 2020 | Yamaha | 4th |
| 2021 | Yamaha | 1st |
| 2022 | Yamaha | 2nd |
| 2023 | Yamaha | 2nd |
| 2024 | BMW | 1st |
| 2025* | BMW | 2nd |
There was talk that Honda were about to offer Razgatlioglu an ‘astronomical’ contract. They were reportedly planning to deploy him in WSBK for a year before bringing him into the Grand Prix paddock.
However, Alberto Puig says Honda won’t sign a superstar rider until they have a contending bike again. This could open the door for Pramac.
Toprak Razgatlioglu not willing to race in MotoGP in 2026
Razgatlioglu’s manager, Kenan Sofoglu, has said that a Yamaha reunion is on the table.
And journalist David Emmett points out that Paolo Pavesio has an ‘excellent relationship’ with Razgatlioglu. Honda are denying that they’ve held talks.
However, speaking on The Race MotoGP podcast, Simon Patterson poured cold water on the idea of a 2026 Pramac move. Razgatlioglu has decided he won’t switch disciplines until 2027 at the earliest.
There’s arguably little point joining in the final year of a ruleset. He already has experience of Pirelli tyres, with the Italian company due to take over from Michelin as the MotoGP supplier in around 18 months’ time.
“The problem with Kenan’s latest statements about the potential MotoGP future is the fact that Toprak’s telling people he isn’t going in ’26, which is why the Honda offer is the interesting one, because there’s a year in Superbikes first,” Patterson said.
“You’d be mad to go in ’26, especially if you ride like Toprak, because it’s all about front end. He’s going to struggle on Michelins, especially for one season.”
Why Toprak Razgatlioglu wasn’t happy with Yamaha over 2023 MotoGP test
Kevin Schwantz says Razgatlioglu’s ‘amazing’ bike control would serve him well in MotoGP. But he’s conscious of nailing the timing, aware that this is a career-defining move.
‘Sources’ say Pirelli will have to make considerable changes to their WSBK tyres to prepare them for the next generation of Grand Prix bikes. That will negate some of Razgatlioglu’s advantage.
More importantly, the established MotoGP stars won’t have as big a head start. They too will have to learn about the new 850cc machinery.
Razgatlioglu felt Yamaha didn’t adequately prepare him for his somewhat forgettable 2023 test at Jerez. But any ill-feeling seems to have cooled, hence the recent stories.
