So, 50% into 2025 and the title race may be centre stage but silly season has also gathered momentum. We’re now starting to get real answers and clarity on what has been one of the most unpredictable and unexpected games of musical chairs yet – but as the music begins to fade out and those previously stood up sit back down, what’s the latest? We analyse below.
CONTRACTS UP FOR RENEWAL: available seats in a game of musical chairs
There are four seats on the grid that haven’t been confirmed for 2026: Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), Jack Miller’s at Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) and Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team). However, like always with silly season, there tends to be additional rumours regarding other riders who may well be under contract but there are clauses that can be activated if either party (the rider or team) wish to do so for whatever reason. As of Brno, all four seats remain available for 2026.
THE JORGE MARTIN SITUATION: what we know
One of the biggest stories of the season has been Jorge Martin’s statement, released at the end of May after the British GP. You can read the full statement here. However, during the Dutch GP weekend, more statements were made with Martin’s manager Albert Valera speaking on Saturday morning, followed by further words from Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola in a media scrum on Sunday morning, saying that he’s very much under contract for 2026 – read all about it here and likewise watch the full scrum. However, it was on the #1’s return that he himself declared that in the end, nothing changes: Martin will be with Aprilia in 2026. Any hope for other riders that a factory Aprilia is there for the taking has evaporated, ‘The Martinator’ stays put.
ACOSTA RUMOURS: under contract with KTM for 2026 but rumours circulate
The first thing to mention is that Pedro Acosta has a contract for 2026 with KTM; the Spaniard graduated to the factory team but has been linked to an array of seats, including the VR46 squad and Honda. Valentino Rossi spoke at Lusail that he “likes Acosta very much” but is likewise “happy” with his current line-up. Acosta stated that “the dream is still there” with regards to what he wants to achieve at KTM. Previous messages of the Jerez test being “crucial” and ‘turning points’ with his manager haven’t added to an obvious outcome. Then, at the British GP, despite P6 on Sunday, Acosta spoke to Spanish media stating that he ‘can’t wait all his life to be Champion’ and that he ‘doesn’t have patience’ for an ‘unacceptable situation’. Aragon welcomed a P4 on Sunday but the test left the #37 only “satisfied.” After Assen, Spanish media outlet MARCA reported that he will stay put for 2026 with KTM, as per a watertight contract.
ZARCO AND MARINI: the latest on the Honda seats available
Media reports that Johann Zarco is having positive talks with Honda about remaining in their family in MotoGP – and those talks would have been bolstered by the Frenchman’s excellent performance to win his home GP at Le Mans. He’s made it no secret that he’d like to be in the factory Honda squad, taking the place of Luca Marini who has his contract up for renewal. The Italian was the only rider on the grid to score points in every GP so far in 2025 and confirmed ahead of the French GP that discussions were underway between himself and Honda about renewing their existing deal. However, Marini’s run is now unfortunately over after a testing crash at Suzuka for the 8 Hour race, out through injury. Lucio Ceccinello, LCR team owner, has stated his intention to keep Johann in his team but what is not up for discussion is the increasing competitivity of Honda, who have made giant strides forwards from 2024.
BASTIANINI LOOKING ELSEWHERE? A surprise mover and shaker
It’s no secret that Enea Bastianini’s (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) move to orange from Ducati red has been a tricky one; still with his trademark late-race pace but without any realistic target of a podium when qualifying no higher than 17th all season, could a change be on ‘The Beast’s horizon? Rumours surfaced on Sky Sport’s broadcast in Italy about a potential switch to Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP, with Jack Miller’s seat being the only one available.
WorldSBK ARRIVALS: Razgatlioglu moves across, Bulega lands Ducati testing gig
One of motorcycle racing fans’ biggest dreams has been to see what WorldSBK sensation Toprak Razgatlioglu can do on MotoGP™ machinery; wait no longer, he’s coming in 2026. The double WorldSBK Champion finally joins the MotoGP paddock with Prima Pramac Yamaha for next season, something that has sent both paddocks into overdrive with how the rest of the seats shake out.
Along with that, current WorldSBK Championship leader Nicolo Bulega remains in WorldSBK for 2026 with the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team but will be an official Ducati test rider in MotoGP™, with work looking towards 2027’s rule change. Davide Tardozzi, Ducati Lenovo team manager, recently stated that Nicolo is “someone we’re looking at for the future. We trust him and maybe we’ll have some more collaboration in the future.” Ducati took on exciting rookie Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and that’s going well…
SILLY SEASON FOR A REASON: announcements and confirmations await
So, what do you think? Until we have an announcement in our hands from the respective team, factory or rider, there’s no way of knowing what’s 0% true, what’s 90% true or what is even talk put out there to improve someone’s negotiating position. The biggest shock rider move of the last few years – Marc Marquez to Gresini – wasn’t even announced until we arrived in Indonesia. Watch this space and let’s see what other rumours we get over the next few GPs…