Honda completed the most dramatic rebuild on the 2027 MotoGP grid in the space of a single morning, confirming 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo and Moto2 prospect David Alonso as it braces for the sport's new 850cc era.
Quartararo's arrival from Yamaha had been an open secret for weeks. Honda Racing Corporation finally made it official on Tuesday, announcing a two-year deal covering 2027 and 2028. "Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) is delighted to announce the signing of Fabio Quartararo for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP World Championship seasons," the manufacturer said. The 27-year-old Frenchman brings 11 wins, 32 podiums and 21 poles to a factory desperate to climb back to the front.
Quartararo himself had all but confirmed the move at the Sachsenring, saying the paperwork shouldn't take "super long." "I mean, I think I have nothing to hide," he added. "It's just that I cannot say [it officially]."
Hours earlier, Honda had announced the other half of its overhaul: David Alonso. The 20-year-old Madrid-born Colombian dominated the 2024 Moto3 championship before stepping up to Moto2, and arrives on a multi-year contract. "The 20-year-old Colombian has enjoyed one of the most impressive rises through the junior categories, finishing third in his rookie Moto3 campaign before dominating the championship the following year," HRC said.
What Honda pointedly did not say was which team Alonso will ride for. The three-paragraph announcement carried no team name — a silence that has left the factory's second seat, alongside Quartararo, hanging between Alonso and rookie Diogo Moreira, with the other rider dropping to satellite squad LCR.
The Race's Valentin Khorounzhiy argued Honda should resolve it now, and in Moreira's favour. Alonso may be the more hyped prospect, but Moreira has quietly impressed in his rookie MotoGP season, and promoting Alonso straight past him risks burning Moreira as a Honda asset by cutting off his route to the factory team.
At LCR, team owner Lucio Cecchinello is bracing for whatever Honda decides. "First and foremost, we are extremely grateful to work with Honda — this is our 21st MotoGP season with Honda," he told The Race. "A satellite team should act as a platform to develop young riders' generations and also to eventually select and provide to the factory team if requested."
"I hope that HRC will not make this request, because we enjoy very much working with Diogo Moreira," Cecchinello added. "But if the day will arrive that they will ask Diogo or Johann or whoever in the future, we have no problem to accept that this is part of the game. If it will happen, of course, personally we are not happy — but on the other hand, it means that we have done our job well."
Adding to the intrigue, Alonso is reported to have been promised Santi Hernandez, the crew chief behind most of Marc Marquez's wins and titles, wherever he lands.
There was a reminder, too, of Honda's Japanese roots. The manufacturer confirmed development rider Takaaki Nakagami will make a wildcard return at October's Grand Prix of Japan at Motegi. "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to compete in the Grand Prix of Japan as a wild-card rider," Nakagami said. "Racing in front of the Japanese fans at my home Grand Prix makes this occasion even more special."
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*Originally published on [Motorsports Global](https://motorsports.global/article/honda-lands-quartararo-and-alonso-in-motogp-2027-overhaul). Visit for full coverage.*