The 2027 MotoGP rider line-up so far

MotoGP undergoes a technical overhaul for 2027, when the premier class will switch from 1000cc to 850cc engines, ban ride-height devices, reduce aero and swap Michelin tyres for Pirelli.

But there could also be some major rider moves with most of the grid out of contract beyond 2026.

• 2026 MotoGP rider line-up: The full grid

Only three riders came into the calendar year having been officially announced as having seats on the 2027 MotoGP grid.

Two of those are at Honda, with Johann Zarco confirmed at LCR while rookie team-mate Diogo Moreira is stepping up to the premier-class on a 'multi-year deal' in 2026.

The other confirmed rider is Toprak Razgatlioglu, who makes his MotoGP debut with Pramac Yamaha this year. 

After a season under his belt on the new V4 M1, the Turkish star will then hope to exploit his Pirelli knowledge in 2027, when he could be joined on the grid by WorldSBK title rival Nicolo Bulega. 

Bulega starts a Ducati MotoGP testing contract alongside his Superbike duties in 2026, and is tipped to move to the premier-class the following year.

Meanwhile, Gresini's Fermin Aldeguer will be confident his 2027 'option' will be taken up by Ducati after his race-winning heroics at Mandalika 2025.

However, hopes of proving he's ready to join the official team took a major blow with a leg fracture during winter training, and he could well remain at a satellite team.

At the 2026 Ducati pre-season launch, Marc Marquez confirmed that he is very close to reaching a new two-year agreement. 

The Italian manufacturer also stated that its priority was to sign Marquez, as the current champion, before looking at the future of Francesco Bagnaia and the other Desmosedici riders.

Then came a surprise on day one of the Sepang Shakedown test, with a report that Fabio Quartararo had already 'signed' for Honda - before turning a wheel on the latest version of the Yamaha V4.

But will it be 'stay or go' for the other MotoGP champions, Jorge Martin (Aprilia) and Joan Mir (Honda)? 

Martin has already sought a failed exit from Aprilia, for Honda, but the RS-GP is now the second-best bike behind Ducati. A follow-up report suggests Martin could take over Quartararo's seat at Yamaha.

His current Aprilia team-mate, Marco Bezzecchi, has now signed a new deal to remain with the Italian marque.

Meanwhile, Mir and Honda had a strong finish to 2025, but if the Quartararo deal is done, HRC has already filled three of its four seats, while Luca Marini has also impressed the Japanese engineers.

KTM was first to show a glimpse of its new 850cc engine and the Austrian factory's top priority will be to try to retain Pedro Acosta, but the young Spanish star has already been strongly linked with Ducati.

But if Acosta is eyeing the factory Ducati team rather than VR46, where would that leave Francesco Bagnaia.... Aprilia perhaps? Yamaha?

Then there's reigning title runner-up Alex Marquez, who may feel he deserves a return to full factory status, which he last held in his rookie 2020 season at Repsol Honda.

Meanwhile, former Suzuki, Yamaha and Aprilia race winner Maverick Vinales is touted as a possible factory replacement for Acosta at KTM, the Tech3 rider impressing the Austrian manufacturer before last year's shoulder injury.

Here is the 2027 contract situation for each rider...