RED BULL SET FOR HONDA RETURN AS YAMAHA SEEKS NEW TITLE SPONSOR

Red Bull is expected to return to Honda’s MotoGP project in 2027, reversing its departure at the end of 2023 after a partnership that began in 2015. The energy-drink brand’s logo is set to appear on Honda’s new 850cc bikes, including the machine of Fabio Quartararo, who is joining the Japanese manufacturer. Brazilian rider Diogo Moreira is a likely teammate, although Honda has yet to confirm whether he or David Alonso will take the second seat. It is also unclear whether Quartararo will become a Red Bull athlete, as Moreira is expected to be.

The move would coincide with Red Bull ending its involvement with KTM Tech3. The team, now owned by a group led by Günther Steiner, will need to find new partners. Red Bull’s previous Honda exit came as Marc Marquez also left the manufacturer, moving to Gresini Ducati.

Yamaha, meanwhile, faces a search for a new title sponsor. Monster, its main partner since 2019, has joined Aprilia’s factory team and is set to leave Yamaha after the 2026 season. Monster’s arrival at Yamaha coincided with a more competitive period, when Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi were fighting near the front. Recent results have been far less encouraging: Yamaha’s best finish this season has been Quartararo’s fifth place at the shortened Barcelona Grand Prix, while the leading M1 finished 17th at Spielberg.

The sponsorship change comes as Yamaha prepares for a new rider line-up featuring Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura. With Monster departing and the team’s recent lack of results weighing on its commercial prospects, Yamaha must secure a replacement title partner. The manufacturer currently has ample space on its fairings for a new sponsor.