We might only be in the early stages of the 2026 MotoGP season, but that doesn’t stop next year’s silly season from beginning. During Sunday’s post-GP Press Conference in Jerez, Grand Prix winner Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and podium finisher Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) were put into the spotlight once more as they were asked about a potential switch to KTM next season.
As always, Di Giannantonio remains open and honest about his current situation and what the future may hold. The Italian made it clear that his future is yet to be decided and that he currently remains in a similar situation to 2023, as he lays out his priorities for the remainder of the season and next year.
Di Giannantonio said: "I always want to be honest about these things because I don’t want to be playing games or anything. I also said on Friday when some of you guys asked me something similar. I’m grateful for the moment that I’m currently living in. We are doing a really good job on track, and for the future, we have a lot of teams that want me on their side. This is amazing as a human and as a rider, which is super, as it means that you are doing a good job. Apart from that, everything is still open, honestly. I know with my staff, our priorities, and we say that directly to people who are interested.
"We know our priorities. I am fully open, fully transparent. Everything is super open because I don’t have anything at the moment. I’m like 2023, honestly speaking, in this exact moment. As I said, I am pleased about the interest, but at the moment, there is nothing that I can say. I can’t say if I’ll be with Alex or in these colours, or in another colour for next year."
"It’s still too early"
There are very few seats publicly confirmed for 2027, with Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) putting pen to paper during pre-season testing. Both Diogo Moreira and Johann Zarco have Honda deals in place for 2027, whilst it was announced in Jerez that Ai Ogura will depart the Trackhouse MotoGP Team and Alex Rins will part ways with Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP after three seasons.
Although nothing is confirmed, Di Giannantonio made his priorities clear, emphasising the importance of a good atmosphere inside the box while discussing the human factors surrounding MotoGP riders and teams. The #49 wants to focus on the job in hand, the 2026 campaign, as he sits P3 in the World Championship heading to the French GP.
Di Giannantonio added: "Okay, we need this for the fans, for the people, for the future. We need news. But I think it’s not that great when we are in the fourth race of this year, and I am wearing these colours. Until the end of this season, I will wear these colours, and I will fly this flag for me. So while I’m with these colours, this is the best team ever, the best bike ever. It should be like this for all of us. I think we should focus a little more on what we’re doing on track, for the fans at home as well. I think every one of us is doing great things, great manoeuvres. These should be the things that we should be talking about now.
"It’s still too early. We have plenty of time. Imagine how bad it is if I said I was going to another place, and I go to the garage, and I have to have a party with the team. It’s not that nice. So, I’m really talking about the human side. Let’s keep focus on racing at the moment, and for sure, everything will arrive soon. But let’s put the focus on racing, that we are doing a great sport."
Alex Marquez agreed with Di Giannantonio on remaining quiet about what his future could hold. It follows what was an emotional Spanish GP for the #73, where the Spaniard took victory at his home GP for the second consecutive year. Marquez also made it clear that he remains happy at Gresini, while we wait to hear a concrete answer on what the four-time MotoGP winner's 2027 looks like.
Alex Marquez said: "He didn’t say anything, so I will say nothing. It's time to wait and time to be patient. Bezzecchi is the luckiest guy because he doesn’t have these questions. We’ll see what the future is, but at the moment, I’m happy where I am."
Contracts, moves and shuffles – when will the next domino fall? Until that point, it's time to enjoy how 2026 is unfolding as we head to Le Mans next weekend for an epic French GP showdown.