LCR Honda fills the last remaining spot on the 2026 MotoGP grid by officially announcing the signing of Moto2 rider Diogo Moreira from Brazil.
The field for the 2026 MotoGP season is complete.
On Tuesday, the last remaining spot was filled, and it comes as no surprise who got it. Diogo Moreira is joining LCR Honda. The Brazilian is replacing Somkiat Chantra, who is moving to the Superbike World Championship. Moreira’s signing confirms what our colleagues at Motorsport.com Spain reported back in August.
Moreira is currently competing in the Moto2 class, where he is fighting for the world championship title (2025 Moto2 overall standings). The 21-year-old has agreed a multi-year contract with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). Moreira will complete his rookie season in the MotoGP class next year as Johann Zarco’s teammate.
Multi-year contract directly with Honda
According to information from our colleagues at Motorsport.com Spain, HRC has drawn up a three-year factory contract for Moreira. This is designed as a so-called 2+1 contract. This means it is a two-year contract with an option for a third year. Whether the option for the third year (2028) will be exercised will depend on his performance in the 2027 season.
“Entering the MotoGP World Championship with LCR-Honda is a dream come true for me,” says Moreira. I would like to thank both Honda and the team for their trust and for giving me this incredible opportunity. I am looking forward to learning, growing, and fighting for strong results in the premier class of motorcycle racing,” said the 21-year-old from Sao Paulo.
LCR team boss Lucio Cecchinello added: “We are very pleased to announce that Diogo Moreira is joining our team. Diogo undoubtedly has all the qualities to become one of the greats in MotoGP. He has undeniable talent and a deep passion for racing. He has proven his speed on all types of motorcycles and in all disciplines.”
Johann Zarco looks forward to working with Diogo Moreira
Moreira’s future teammate Johann Zarco says: “Moreira is one of the good riders. I think he will be able to hold his own. He is one of those who know how to ride a new motorcycle. However, it could be difficult for him that he has to learn everything in 2026 and then has to adjust again in 2027.”
Zarco is referring to the new MotoGP regulations that will come into force in 2027. In this context, however, the Frenchman also sees an advantage. This is because Moreira currently rides on Pirelli tires in the Moto2 World Championship. And this brand will be the exclusive tire supplier in the MotoGP class from 2027. “He will be able to tell us about his experiences with Pirelli tires. That could be particularly interesting with a view to 2027,” says Zarco.
In addition to Diogo Moreira, there will be a second rookie in the 2026 MotoGP season. This is Superbike star Toprak Razgatlioglu, who has signed with Pramac-Yamaha and will be Jack Miller’s new teammate there (MotoGP 2026: Overview of riders, teams, and contract terms).
Incidentally, Moreira will have a home race on the calendar right from the start of his first MotoGP season. This is because the Brazilian Grand Prix is returning to the MotoGP calendar after a long break. On March 22, the race will take place in Goiania, where the Motorcycle World Championship last visited in 1989. The last MotoGP race in Brazil to date took place in Rio de Janeiro in the 2004 season (MotoGP calendar 2026).
