HONDA CONFIRMS QUARTARARO AND DAVID ALONSO FOR 2027 MOTOGP LINE-UP
Honda has confirmed its rider plans for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons, with Fabio Quartararo joining the factory Honda HRC project alongside Colombian talent David Alonso, who will make his debut in the premier class.
Quartararo’s move to Honda marks a major change in the MotoGP rider market. The 2021 MotoGP World Champion will leave Yamaha after several seasons with the Japanese manufacturer, where he became the team’s main reference and secured the title during his first championship-winning campaign.
The French rider has been linked with Honda for several months as the Japanese manufacturer continues its rebuilding process. Honda has struggled in recent seasons with the competitiveness of its RC213V, but the arrival of new technical staff and the development of the 2027 regulations has been seen as an opportunity to return to the front.
Alongside Quartararo, Honda has also confirmed the promotion of David Alonso to MotoGP for 2027. The Colombian-Spanish rider will step up to the top category after winning the 2024 Moto3 World Championship with CFMOTO Aspar Team and spending two seasons in Moto2.
Alonso became the first Colombian rider to win a Grand Prix world championship title and has quickly established himself as one of the most highly rated young riders in the paddock. During his Moto3 championship season, he won 14 races and broke several records on his way to the title.
The exact structure of Honda’s 2027 rider line-up is still to be confirmed. Alonso is expected to join Honda’s MotoGP project, but it remains unclear whether he will race directly for the factory Honda HRC team alongside Quartararo or move to the satellite LCR Honda squad.
Honda’s decision to secure both Quartararo and Alonso reflects the manufacturer’s long-term strategy ahead of the new MotoGP technical regulations arriving in 2027. The new era will introduce changes including a reduction in engine capacity from 1000cc to 850cc, new aerodynamics rules and the removal of ride-height devices, creating a fresh opportunity for manufacturers to close the performance gap.
For Honda, the combination of an established MotoGP champion and one of the strongest young prospects in world motorcycle racing represents a key step in its attempt to return to championship contention after a difficult period.
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