Most of the MotoGP paddock now believes they know who Yamaha will sign to join Jorge Martin in 2027
Photo by Stephen Blackberry/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Plenty of people around the paddock believe Yamaha will sign Honda rider Luca Marini to round out their 2027 line-up alongside Aprilia star Jorge Martin. Yamaha have been forced to look elsewhere for 2027, with the worst-kept secret in the paddock being that Fabio Quartararo is heading for Honda. He has been leading their project since his title win in 2021 but is out of contract and doesn’t seem likely to re-sign.
It’s expected that Quartararo has signed a two-year deal with Honda from 2027. Yamaha responded by moving quickly to bring in Martin, whose contract with Aprilia will end after next season. They’re also set to sign him on a two-year deal.
Yamaha expected to bring in Luca Marini from Honda for 2027 Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images Yamaha have taken their time deciding who will partner Martin, with Alex Rins also out of contract at the end of the year. Marini has been strongly linked to the seat, and there’s growing belief that he’ll make the move from Honda to Yamaha. According to GPOne, plenty within the MotoGP paddock think Marini will join Yamaha once his Honda deal expires this year.
The 28-year-old has been with Honda since 2024 but is expected to be left without a seat after this season. The January news about Quartararo planning a move to Tokyo was followed by reports suggesting that David Alonso will complete Honda’s 2027 line-up. Both Marini and Joan Mir are out of contract with the factory team at the end of this year.
Marini wasn’t Yamaha’s top target initially. His name became more prominent after Francesco Bagnaia withdrew from talks and instead decided on a switch to Aprilia, where he’s set to replace Martin. There were also reports linking VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio with advanced talks with Yamaha, as his current Ducati deal is up soon.