Honda are the most intriguing manufacturer in this year’s MotoGP rider market. Three of their four seats have yet to be filled.
Only Joan Mir, the 2020 world champion, has a contract for 2026. And one journalist recently claimed that Mir’s Honda deal isn’t necessarily watertight.
LCR rookie Somkiat Chantra, who’s absent at the French Grand Prix after arm pump surgery, still needs to prove himself. Mir’s factory teammate Luca Marini is also at risk, while Johann Zarco will be shopping the market after an impressive start to 2025.
| MANUFACTURER | RIDERS OUT OF CONTRACT |
| Ducati | Franco Morbidelli |
| KTM | None |
| Aprilia | None |
| Yamaha | Jack Miller |
| Honda | Luca Marini, Johann Zarco, Somkiat Chantra |
Meanwhile, championship leaders Ducati have already filled five out of six seats, with Franco Morbidelli the exception. Yamaha too have a solitary vacancy (Jack Miller’s spot at Pramac), but Aprilia and KTM have already locked in their quartets on paper.
Pedro Acosta’s KTM future is in doubt, but an early exit wouldn’t be easy. It would likely require a pay-off that most teams couldn’t afford, and Honda are reluctant to sign a superstar until they improve their bike.
Johann Zarco is in talks with Honda over factory MotoGP ride and fans love it
Ahead of his home race, Motorsport.com relayed the news that Zarco is in talks with Honda over a 2026 factory ride. Marini could be demoted to LCR as a result.
While happy in his current satellite surroundings, Zarco said negotiations around a promotion had been ‘very, very positive’. He has ambitions of becoming the brand’s number-one rider and thinks he can achieve that in more prestigious colours.
Marini too has been speaking to the Honda hierarchy. His 32-point haul puts him 23 ahead of Mir, but he’s clearly under pressure.
Reacting on Reddit, MotoGP fans expressed enthusiastic approval at the prospect of Zarco joining Honda. These were some of the standout responses…
“This is kind of an amazing full-circle moment for Zarco.”
“Our lord and saviour Zarco deserves it”
“Would love to see Johann finish out his career as a factory rider. Excellent way to cap a very unique career path.”
“I hope he gets the chance. Zarco might be the best developmental rider on the grid with factory experience.”
“Heck oui!!”
“He absolutely deserves it.”
Johann Zarco knows exactly why he’s never won a championship in MotoGP
Based on comments made earlier this year, Zarco regrets not joining Honda as a rookie. He moved to KTM instead, only to part ways with the Austrian squad before the end of the season.
That’s why one of the users above describes this as a ‘full-circle moment’. Zarco is the oldest rider on the grid at 34, but he’s been one of the standouts on this year’s grid.
Statistically, Zarco’s best season to date was 2023, when he scored 225 points and finished fifth on a Ducati bike at Pramac. But after teammate Jorge Martin challenged for the title, he felt more was possible.
Zarco says he was ‘missing’ the ingredients of a champion, acknowledging that he created issues for himself too often. He’ll be holding out hope of another title bid should Honda complete their resurgence.
