Satellite teams, continuity for 2027?

While the 2026 season of MotoGP As the season prepares to begin, negotiations are intensifying behind the scenes to get ready for 2027. Besides the drivers – 18 of whom are still undecided about their future – the teams are negotiating their grid positions. On the eve of the first year of the new technical cycle, no contracts have yet been signed between the satellite teams and their manufacturers.

Recent statements from the leading teams, however, indicate a clear trend: continuity. Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, Honda, and Yamaha are expected to maintain their long-standing alliances.

No doubt at Ducati and Aprilia

Indeed, at Ducati, Gresini Racing has made no secret of its intention to extend its partnership. Its sporting director, Michele Masini, confirmed this during the season presentation, in comments reported by GPOne: "Year after year, our collaboration has improved, and therefore the extension seems to be the natural path to follow. The results on the track demonstrate that together, we are making progress. VR46 has the same tone. Valentino Rossi expressed his desire to extend his contract with the Italian brand: "Personally, I trust Ducati and I think they're already quite advanced with the 2027 bike." he stated during the presentation of his team.

Having recently arrived in MotoGP, Trackhouse Racing is embarking on its third season with Aprilia. This transatlantic adventure seems to be proving successful for both parties. Davide Brivio, team principal of the American outfit, has confirmed his intention to extend the partnership: “Our plan for the future is to renew our contract with Aprilia,” he explained to GPOne in mid-January. "We're reaching a deadline, that's true, we're already discussing it with Massimo Rivola. Some of the most important things are already defined, so one day we'll have to talk about the details."

Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, also ruled out the possibility of a merger with other partners: "It would only be a suggestion to consider VR46 with Aprilia, but the priority is to continue with Trackhouse." The partnership seems destined for a shared future.

KTM and Tech3: an absolute priority

The same message came from KTM. Despite rumors linked to the Austrian team's financial situation, which cast doubt on its presence on the grid, Mattighofen sent a clear message: the priority remains maintaining the KTM-Tech3 partnership. During the joint presentation of the factory and satellite bikes, the desire to extend their collaboration was unequivocally stated. "The first thing to figure out will be the brand of the motorcycle," Nicolas Goyon, team manager of Tech3, emphasized this point. Our main option is to stay with KTM. A desire shared by Pit Beirer, director of KTM Motorsports, who speaks of a "Priority number one".

LCR has been present at Honda without interruption since 2006. This agreement is reinforced by the signings of Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira until the end of 2027. The Frenchman, involved in the development of the RC213V, benefits from significant support from the factory.

Finally, the Pramac-Yamaha partnership is one of the few contracts that is firmly established. The Italian team, long a pillar of Ducati, surprised everyone at the end of 2024 by switching sides for a seven-year agreement with the Iwata-based brand, as confirmed by Gino Borsoi, the team's director at the time of the deal.

Why hasn't anything been signed yet?

Discussions are progressing behind the scenes, but the signings depend on Dorna's timeline for finalizing the 2027 commercial agreements. While everyone is talking about continuity, the satellite teams remain dependent on a criticized political framework. In MotoGP, unlike the F1The teams "rent" their presence through a lease agreement concluded with Dorna.

Current contracts expire at the end of 2026: satellite teams therefore cannot sign until the manufacturers' new commercial agreements are finalized. Some figures in the paddock are even advocating for a reform, so that grid positions belong directly to the teams, as in Formula 1. However, if the five manufacturers on the grid remain in 2027, no major changes are expected: the new era should see the same factory-satellite partnerships continue together.

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