MotoGP: Honda Gets a Makeover; Fabio Quartararo and David Alonso Join the Team

Honda ushers in a new era. With the arrival of the 850cc class in 2027, the Japanese manufacturer has decided to revamp its MotoGP program by focusing on two riders who represent the present and future of motorcycle racing: France’s Fabio Quartararo and Colombia’s David Alonso.

The biggest splash is undoubtedly that of “El Diablo.” Quartararo, the 2021 world champion, has signed a two-year contract with the official HRC team for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. This move marks the end of his time with Yamaha and the start of a completely new challenge, just as MotoGP prepares to undergo a major transformation with the introduction of new engine displacement classes.

For Honda, this represents a massive technical and media investment. Quartararo brings with him 11 wins, 32 podium finishes, and 21 pole positions in the premier class, as well as a consistency of performance that has made him one of the most well-rounded riders of the past decade. The goal is clear: to build HRC’s resurgence around him after several difficult years.

Alongside the Frenchman, Honda has also announced the arrival of David Alonso, one of the brightest talents from the recent Moto3–Moto2 cycle. The Colombian has signed a multi-year contract starting in 2027, although it has not yet been determined whether he will race for the official HRC team or the LCR team. The decision will be announced at a later date, but the path is already set: Alonso will make his MotoGP debut at the Valencia Test following the final GP of 2026.

His track record speaks for itself: 20 wins, 30 podium finishes, and 9 pole positions across Moto3 and Moto2, a title he narrowly missed in 2023, a dominant season in 2024, and a 2025 Moto2 campaign already highlighted by his first win in Hungary. These numbers have convinced Honda to bet on him for the future.