CONFIRMED 2027 MOTOGP GRID TAKES SHAPE WITH MAJOR RIDER SWAPS ACROSS DUCATI, APRILIA, YAMAHA AND KTM

MotoGP’s 2027 grid is set to look very different, not only because of a major technical reset but also due to a wave of contract changes that reshuffles nearly every manufacturer’s lineup. The premier class will move from 1000cc to 850cc engines, ban ride-height devices, reduce aero, and switch tyre supplier from Michelin to Pirelli.

Against that backdrop, the rider market has been unusually active, with five rookies arriving and several established names departing. Crash.net’s roundup of the “complete 2027 MotoGP rider line-up” also highlights that only three riders entered the year with seats already officially confirmed for 2027.

Ducati’s 2027 picture is dominated by renewals and replacements. Marc Marquez said at Ducati’s pre-season launch that he was “very close” to a new two-year agreement, but the final announcement was delayed until after Brno due to negotiations around the next commercial contract between the manufacturers and MotoGP SEG. The deal was then officially confirmed on the Tuesday after Brno.

Ducati also confirmed that Pecco Bagnaia will leave at the end of the season, with Pedro Acosta stepping in for 2027. Two additional Ducati seats were filled for Gresini: Joan Mir and Dani Holgado will join in place of Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer. Mir is set to ride a “factory” specification machine.

Elsewhere in the Ducati family, Fermin Aldeguer—currently contracted directly to Ducati—was confirmed as moving to VR46 on the eve of the Aragon round. He will be joined at VR46 by Nicolo Bulega, a former WorldSBK rival who has been on a Ducati MotoGP testing contract alongside his Superbike duties in 2026. The report notes that Bulega’s VR46 race deal means he will be the only Italian rider on a Desmosedici next season.

Aprilia’s changes are anchored by a long-term commitment to Bagnaia. Aprilia confirmed his signing on a four-year contract, partnering him with Marco Bezzecchi. Bezzecchi’s move is described as the first “factory” signing for 2027, with an official contract announcement preceding the rest of the market.

Trackhouse Aprilia then confirmed Raul Fernandez at the end of the summer break, with Enea Bastianini named as his team-mate.

Yamaha’s 2027 lineup is built around a mix of departures and new faces. After Assen, Yamaha bid farewell to Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins before announcing Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura. Just before Aragon, Yamaha confirmed Moto2 title contender Izan Guevara will replace Jack Miller at Pramac, alongside Toprak Razgatlioglu.

KTM’s 2027 plans include a return to factory status for Alex Marquez. The report says Gresini’s 2025 runner-up will move to Red Bull KTM for the first time since his rookie season at Repsol Honda. He will be joined by Fabio di Giannantonio.

Honda’s 2027 story includes a confirmed switch for Quartararo. A report during Sepang Shakedown suggested Quartararo had already signed for Honda before turning a wheel on the 2026 Yamaha V4, and Honda later announced his two-year deal on Tuesday 21 July.

The Honda/Tech3 side is also shaped by Tech3’s first signing ahead of Aragon: Luca Marini. He was paired with Moto2 race winner Senna Agius, named as his team-mate in mid-September, completing the 2027 grid.

The influx of rookies is a central theme. Dani Holgado, from Moto2, was the first rookie officially confirmed for 2027, joining Gresini. Three other rookies come from Moto2, with the report stressing their Pirelli experience. Holgado’s Aspar Moto2 team-mate David Alonso joins Honda, while the remaining rookie seats are filled by Guevara at Pramac and Agius at Tech3. Razgatlioglu’s Pramac team-mate is joined by Bulega, completing the production-based WorldSBK-to-MotoGP crossover.

Finally, the report lists race winners leaving MotoGP as part of the churn: Maverick Vinales (Tech3 KTM), Alex Rins (Monster Yamaha), Franco Morbidelli (VR46 Ducati), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM), and Jack Miller (Pramac Yamaha). With wildcard rides dropping next season, the report adds that test-riding roles are less attractive for those wanting to keep racing, and it points to WorldSBK’s switch from Pirelli to Michelin as a reason Miller, Rins, and Morbidelli could be well placed for leading seats in the production-based championship.