Toprak Razgatlioglu is finally expected to switch from World Superbikes to MotoGP in 2026. He’s reportedly agreed to join Yamaha satellite team Pramac.
Razgatlioglu is the reigning WSBK champion, having won the title with BMW last season to add to his earlier triumph with Yamaha. He’s ready to take the plunge for next year, by which point he’ll be 29.
Razgatlioglu’s MotoGP testing with Yamaha was underwhelming, but there’s a belief that his innate talents will ultimately serve him well in Grand Prix racing. It’s unclear at this stage whether he’ll replace Jack Miller or Miguel Oliveira.
Reports claim that Razgatlioglu has secured a Fabio Quartararo clause in his contract, guaranteeing him the same equipment as Yamaha’s franchise rider. The 2021 world champion will set a formidable benchmark.
Razgatlioglu’s move to Pramac is set to be announced at the Italian Grand Prix later this month.
Toprak Razgatlioglu expected to struggle on Michelin MotoGP tyres in 2026
Razgatlioglu was linked with Honda, but they had a different vision. They wanted to deploy the Turkish rider in their WSBK team for a year before a MotoGP debut in 2027.
It made sense to wait a year given the impending regulation changes, and the switch to Michelin from Pirelli tyres. The Italian company already supply WSBK.
While that could be an advantage in 2027, there’s a feeling that his riding style will be at odds with the Michelins. That could make his debut campaign even more difficult.
Pirelli won’t be able to use their WSBK tyres in MotoGP, instead creating a brand-new compound.
“I think Toprak’s probably going to be in for quite a difficult 2026, because everyone I speak to agrees that the way he rides a motorbike, how aggressive he is on the brakes, how aggressive he is on the front tyre isn’t going to work with Michelin,” Simon Patterson said on The Race MotoGP podcast.
“It obviously gives him a year to be in MotoGP, to be in the paddock ahead of the switch to Pirelli in 2027. We don’t know what sort of tyres Pirelli are going to bring to MotoGP.”
Why Yamaha can’t sign Toprak Razgatlioglu for their factory team right now
Razgatlioglu is unlikely to be judged against Quartararo straight away, even if he’s riding the same bike. Beating his Pramac teammate may be a more realistic target.
Miller could stay at Pramac for another year and partner the new arrival. Oliveira has a contract for 2026 but he isn’t meeting the performance clause that would guarantee him that second year.
Pramac have also been linked with Enea Bastianini, who’s unhappy at Tech3. Like Miller, he would be a race-winning reference for Razgatlioglu.
Theoretically, his end goal would be to race for the factory team. However, Razgatlioglu may have to drop his Red Bull ties to join Yamaha because of their title sponsorship with Monster.
