HONDA’S 2027 ROSTER DELAY COULD BE LINKED TO DAVID ALONSO CONTRACT

Honda is still the only MotoGP manufacturer yet to publish its complete 2027 rider line-up, even as other teams have moved to lock in their future plans. On Wednesday, Tech3 announced the signing of Senna Agius, completing KTM’s four-rider group for next season. Honda, meanwhile, has already confirmed Fabio Quartararo as a new factory rider and kept Johann Zarco on the books at LCR, but the situation around David Alonso and Diogo Moreira remains unresolved.

Italian journalist Cosimo Curatola suggested on his YouTube channel at Misano that Alonso’s contract could be a key factor. “I think that, ultimately, the choice between [Diogo Moreira] and David Alonso for the factory team will favour the latter,” Curatola said. He added: “I heard someone say that was already part of the contract.” The underlying issue, according to the reporting, is that Honda appear to lean toward Moreira as Quartararo’s teammate, with the Brazilian viewed as the more straightforward option because he will have already spent a year in MotoGP.

Moreira’s form this season has strengthened that case. The sources note he has reached Q2 four times on the fourth-fastest bike, scored points in all but three Grands Prix, and recorded five top-10 finishes, including a career-best sixth place in Hungary. With 64 points overall, Moreira has also outscored Joan Mir, who is currently a factory rider and has 33 points.

However, Alonso’s potential promotion could be complicated by contractual obligations. The report states that Alonso’s arrival was confirmed on 21 July, but Honda’s delay in finalising where both riders will sit suggests “complex issues” still need to be resolved. It also highlights that every MotoGP team showed interest in Alonso, with Ducati described as pushing particularly hard.

The same coverage says Moreira signed a two-plus-one deal with Honda, and that if he were to join the factory in 2027, the 2028 option would be triggered. Yet if Alonso’s contract does indeed guarantee him a factory place, Honda may be forced to choose between its preferred teammate pairing and the terms it has already agreed.