2026 MotoGP Season

The 2026 MotoGP season, featuring 22 countries and 22 different riders, is scheduled to begin on 1 March and conclude on 22 November. This season, notable for calendar expansion and restructuring in South America, also marks the final event before a comprehensive technical transformation takes effect in 2027.

Calendar and Changes

2026 MotoGP calendar (AA)

New and Returning Rounds

Brazil (Goiânia) 2026–2030 has returned to the calendar under a new agreement. The host circuit is the Goiânia International Racetrack Ayrton Senna. The agreement was established between MotoGP, the government of Goiás, and Brasil Motorsport; completion of circuit upgrades was a prerequisite for the 2026 return.

Balaton Park in Hungary has entered the calendar for the first time. Brno in the Czech Republic has returned to the calendar.

South American Leg and the Argentina Conundrum

The Argentine Grand Prix was not held in the 2026 season. The organizing body continues to target a return in 2027.

However, some season lists included a listing for “Argentina GP – Termas de Río Hondo” for 2026; these same lists also featured other circuits such as “Kazakhstan GP.” Discrepancies emerged among official 2026 calendar publications regarding circuit order and inclusion.

As of 2027, the Argentine leg has been relocated to Buenos Aires. The Autódromo Oscar y Juan Gálvez has entered a renovation process; comprehensive upgrades to the circuit, pits, paddock, and safety areas have become a core component of the calendar.

Teams and Riders

2026 MotoGP infographic (AA)

Technical Regulations, Tyres and Transition to 2027

In 2027, the 850 cc engine regulations will take effect; ride-height and holeshot devices will be banned, and stricter aerodynamic restrictions will be introduced. Simultaneously, the tyre supplier will change from Michelin to Pirelli, which will become the sole supplier for both MotoGP and MotoE.

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu’s Move to the Premier Class

The 2026 season marks the year Toprak Razgatlıoğlu made his debut in the premier class. Razgatlıoğlu is the first Turkish rider to compete in MotoGP as part of the Prima Pramac Yamaha team.

The V4 Engine Era and Yamaha’s Technical Direction

Yamaha Motor Racing used an inline-four engine configuration in MotoGP for many years. Prior to the 2026 season, it decided to transition to a V4 engine layout. This technical shift, implemented just before comprehensive regulatory changes take effect in 2027, represents a strategic move. The new engine architecture introduces different parameters in terms of performance potential and riding characteristics.

The Buriram test session conducted before the season produced a more consistent performance profile compared to previous evaluations. However, uncertainties remain regarding how the new configuration will perform in race pace and over the full season. The competitiveness achieved by Fabio Quartararo and Álex Rins in the factory team will be among the key indicators of the technical development’s success.

Jack Miller, competing in the satellite team, is one of the riders closely watched due to his prior experience with V4-powered machines. Yamaha holds a Rank D classification under MotoGP’s privilege system, granting it extensive testing rights. The extent to which this advantage contributes to in-season development will be one of the defining factors of the 2026 season.

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu’s Transition to MotoGP

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, the first Turkish rider to compete in MotoGP, continues his career with three World Superbike Championship titles. His move to MotoGP has brought about a two-way adaptation process, both technical and sporting. On one hand, he contributes to Yamaha’s new technical structure; on the other, he bears the responsibility of adapting to a different championship structure.

The pre-season testing program did not proceed without challenges. Razgatlıoğlu simultaneously navigated adaptation to the MotoGP prototype, its advanced electronic systems, and the Michelin tyres used in the championship. The aerodynamic design and riding position requirements of MotoGP machines demanded physical adjustments distinct from those in previous categories. His height has been a direct factor influencing optimal bike setup and effective use of aerodynamic components.

This process requires gradual development in both technical adaptation and performance consistency. Razgatlıoğlu’s debut season in MotoGP constitutes a multi-layered transition period, to be evaluated alongside the new engine architecture and the team’s development strategy.

1. Thailand GP (27 February – 1 March)

Thailand GP (27 February – 1 March) infographic (AA)

The Thailand Grand Prix, the opening race of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, took place between 27 February and 1 March 2026 at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram. The event featured races in the MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 classes.

The weekend witnessed several statistical milestones: the end of Ducati’s long-standing podium streak, Pedro Acosta’s rise to the top of the championship standings, and Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlıoğlu’s debut in a premier MotoGP race.

MotoGP Class Qualifying and Sprint Race

In qualifying, Aprilia Racing rider Marco Bezzecchi secured pole position with a time of 1:28.652. Ducati Lenovo rider Marc Marquez finished second, 0.035 seconds behind, while Raul Fernandez of Trackhouse Aprilia took third place. The past two-time champion, Francesco Bagnaia, ended the session in 13th position.

In the 13-lap Sprint Race on Saturday, Bezzecchi took the lead but crashed out on the second lap. In the later stages of the race, a battle for the lead developed between Marc Marquez and Red Bull KTM rider Pedro Acosta. Marquez’s overtaking maneuver on Acosta on the penultimate lap was reviewed by FIM stewards, who imposed a one-position penalty on Marquez. Marquez yielded position to Acosta in the final corner, allowing Acosta to win the Sprint Race, with Marquez finishing second and Fernandez third.

MotoGP Class Main Race

In the 26-lap main race on Sunday, Marco Bezzecchi started from pole and finished first with a time of 39 minutes 36.270 seconds. Pedro Acosta came in second, 5.543 seconds behind, while Raul Fernandez secured third place. Jorge Martin finished fourth and Ai Ogura fifth.

In the closing stages of the race, Marc Marquez, who was fighting for a podium position, retired due to a rear tire blowout. Later in the race, Marquez’s brother Alex crashed at Turn 4, while Honda rider Joan Mir, who had been running inside the top six, retired from the race due to rear tire issues and entered the pit lane.

As a result of these outcomes, Ducati’s 88-race podium streak, which began at the 2021 British Grand Prix, came to an end. In the championship standings, Pedro Acosta claimed the lead of the MotoGP World Championship for the first time in his career.

Yamaha’s Performance and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu’s Result

Yamaha’s team recorded the slowest lap times of the weekend in terms of speed and experienced issues with rear tire grip. Factory rider Fabio Quartararo finished 14th, with an average lap time of 1:32.468 compared to Bezzecchi’s winning pace of 1:31.390. Other Yamaha riders finished as follows: Alex Rins in 15th, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu in 17th and Jack Miller in 18th. Following the weekend, Yamaha management restricted its riders from speaking to the media. Team principal Paolo Pavesio, addressing journalists, acknowledged the performance gap with rivals and stated that a significant development process lies ahead.

Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlıoğlu started his first-ever MotoGP main race from 21st position. He moved up to 20th after passing Tech3 KTM rider Maverick Vinales on the fourth lap and later overtook his teammate Jack Miller in the final stages to finish 17th. Despite limited experience with Michelin tires, Razgatlıoğlu maintained consistent pace and completed his first consecutive 26-lap MotoGP race in his career.

Performance of Other Manufacturers

KTM emerged strongly with Pedro Acosta’s second-place finish, while teammate Brad Binder completed the main race in seventh. Tech3 KTM rider Maverick Vinales struggled throughout the weekend with front-end grip and Michelin tire carcass issues, finishing 16th. On the Honda side, after Joan Mir’s retirement, the best result came from Luca Marini, who finished 10th.

Moto2 Class

In Moto2 qualifying, Australian rider Senna Agius claimed pole position with a time of 1:34.576. The main race on Sunday was red-flagged twice due to early crashes. After a multi-rider incident involving Agius, David Alonso and Filip Salac on the third lap, the race was restarted. However, another crash between Sergio Garcia and Luca Lunetta in the first corners led to another red flag, reducing the total race distance to seven laps. In the restarted race, Manuel Gonzalez overtook Izan Guevara on the final lap to win. Guevara finished second and Daniel Holgado third.

Moto3 Class

In Moto3 qualifying, David Almansa set a new circuit record with a time of 1:40.088 to claim pole position. The main race on Sunday featured a tight battle for the lead that lasted until the final corner. Almansa won his first-ever Moto3 race by just 0.003 seconds over Maximo Quiles at the finish line. Quiles finished second and Argentine rider Valentin Perrone took third. Rookie rider Veda Pratama finished fifth in his debut championship race.

2. Brazilian GP (19 March – 22 March)

The second round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, the Brazilian Grand Prix, was held at the Autódromo Internacional Ayrton Senna in Goiânia, Brazil, between 19 and 22 March 2026. The event, staged on a 3.8-kilometre circuit, marked the first MotoGP race in Brazil since 2004 and the first ever in Goiânia since 1989. Over the course of the weekend, a total of 148,384 ticketed spectators attended the events, with 40,503 on Friday, 47,008 on Saturday, and 60,873 on Sunday.

Background and Infrastructure Upgrades

Brazil last appeared on the MotoGP calendar in 2004 at the Jacarepaguá circuit in Rio de Janeiro, while the Goiânia circuit was first included in the event in 1987. After more than twenty years, the state government of Goiás invested approximately 200 million Brazilian Reais to bring the championship back to the country. As part of the renovation, the track’s asphalt was replaced with a more modern material, runoff areas were expanded for safety, and a fiber-optic telemetry infrastructure was installed. These investments are estimated to have generated an economic impact of 800 million Brazilian Reais for the region, with local hotel occupancy reaching 100 percent. The circuit, featuring the longest straight on the season’s calendar, is expected to allow motorcycles to reach speeds of up to 370 kilometres per hour.

Track Conditions and Surface Issues

Despite the upgrades, severe surface degradation occurred throughout the race weekend. The asphalt showed signs of fragmentation, exacerbated by recurring flooding in the region. On Saturday, a two-metre depression formed at the exit of the final corner and along the start-finish straight, prompting emergency repairs that delayed the sprint race by over an hour. Prior to the event, a smaller-scale test event called “Desafio dos Campeões” had been held on the track just two weeks earlier, revealing that the asphalt could not withstand international racing speeds.

Maverick Vinales of the KTM Tech3 team (AA)

In particular, between turns 11 and 12, asphalt fragmentation caused stones to be thrown up by rear wheels, resulting in injuries to following riders. As a result, Yamaha rider Alex Rins suffered swelling on his index finger, Enea Bastianini sustained shoulder damage, Joan Mir experienced a knee injury, and Alex Marquez developed abrasions on his arm. Additionally, the bumpy section at turn 4 contributed to multiple accidents throughout the weekend. The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme and event officials announced after the race that the track’s asphalt would be completely reconfigured.

Practice and Sprint Race

Friday’s practice sessions were held under rainy conditions. The Saturday sprint race, which began late due to track repairs, was won by Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo team with a time of 19:41.98. Fabio Di Giannantonio of Pertamina VR46 Ducati finished second. Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlıoğlu completed the sprint race in 18th place.

2026 MotoGP season Brazilian GP (generated by artificial intelligence)

MotoGP Main Race

The main race on Sunday had its distance reduced from 31 to 23 laps shortly before the start due to safety concerns arising from high track wear and rising temperatures. Italy’s Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing led every lap of the race and won with a time of 30:19.76.

With this victory, Bezzecchi secured his fourth consecutive MotoGP win and dedicated the triumph to his mechanic and close friend Roberto Lunadei. His teammate Jorge Martin finished second, giving Aprilia a 1-2 finish. In the battle for third place, Marc Marquez briefly took the position with five laps remaining, but Fabio Di Giannantonio reclaimed it to claim the final podium spot. Marquez finished fourth, Trackhouse Aprilia rider Ai Ogura fifth, and Alex Marquez sixth. Pedro Acosta, who entered the weekend as championship leader after the first race, finished seventh and relinquished the lead to Bezzecchi by an 11-point margin.

First Marco Bezzecchi, second teammate Jorge Martin, and third-place finisher Pertamina Enduro (AA)

Numerous riders suffered crashes during the race, influenced by the deteriorating track conditions. Jack Miller, competing in his 200th MotoGP race, crashed out on lap two. Later in the race, Francesco Bagnaia, Joan Mir, and Red Bull KTM rider Brad Binder were unable to reach the finish line due to accidents. Our representative Toprak Razgatlıoğlu finished the main race in 17th place.

Moto2 Category

The Moto2 World Championship race, held as part of the weekend schedule, consisted of 26 laps. Spain’s Daniel Holgado of the CFMOTO Inde Aspar team won the race. Turkish rider Deniz Öncü, competing with the ELF Marc VDS team, started from 18th position after qualifying and finished the race in 20th place.

Championship Standings and Next Race

Following the results in Goiânia, Marco Bezzecchi now leads the overall championship standings, 11 points ahead of Pedro Acosta. The third round of the championship, the United States Grand Prix, is scheduled for 27–29 March at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Marco Bezzecchi (AA)

3. United States GP (27 March–29 March)

2026 MotoGP World Championship's third round, theUnited States Grand Prix, was held at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) from 27 to 29 March 2026. Throughout the weekend, various incidents occurred in both the sprint race and the main race, with Aprilia team riders emerging as the dominant force on the track. Spanish rider Jorge Martin won the sprint race on Saturday, while his teammateMarco Bezzecchiclaimed victory in the main race on Sunday.

Qualifying Sessions and Penalties

Fabio Di Giannantonio secured pole position during qualifying. Marco Bezzecchi finished the session in second place but received a two-grid-position penalty for impeding another rider during Q2, forcing him to start the race from fourth.Marc Marquez, who struggled with performance limits on his motorcycle throughout the weekend, completed qualifying in sixth position.

Sprint Race

At the start of the sprint race on Saturday, Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia moved from fourth to the lead. Later in the race, Marc Marquez collided with Fabio Di Giannantonio after losing the front end of his motorcycle during an attack at Turn 12, causing both riders to retire. Marquez was handed a Long Lap Penalty to be served during Sunday’s main race as a result of this incident.

Spanish rider Jorge Martin of Aprilia Racing, winner of the sprint race (AA)

On lap four of the race, Jorge Martin began his ascent toward the front group, while Marco Bezzecchi crashed at Turn 11 and failed to finish the sprint race. Bagnaia held the lead until the final two laps but slowed due to rear tire performance degradation and was overtaken by Martin at Turn 12 on the final lap. Jorge Martin claimed his first sprint race victory for Aprilia, with Bagnaia finishing second and KTM rider Pedro Acosta third. Joan Mir crashed while battling Acosta for third place on the final lap and retired. After the race, Martin crashed while celebrating on one wheel during the cool-down lap but emerged unharmed.

Main Race

At the start of the 20-lap main race on Sunday, Pedro Acosta gained strong momentum and took the lead. However, at Turn 11, contact occurred between Acosta, who ran wide, and Bezzecchi, who was on the inside line. Bezzecchi seized the lead immediately after the incident and maintained it for the remainder of the race, crossing the finish line first under the checkered flag. Jorge Martin followed closely behind his teammate to finish second, securing Aprilia’s second consecutive double podium finish. Pedro Acosta completed the podium in third place.

MotoGP at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, United States (AA)

Fabio Di Giannantonio, who started from pole, finished fourth. Marc Marquez, serving his Long Lap Penalty and dropping out of the top ten, fought his way back through the field against Enea Bastianini to finish fifth. Francesco Bagnaia, who finished second in the sprint race, struggled with tire wear in the main race and dropped to tenth. Turkish riderToprak Razgatlıoğlu, after being forced off the track in the first lap to avoid colliding with Luca Marini and dropping to 20th, climbed to 15th by overtaking Fabio Quartararo in the closing stages and scored his first ever points in MotoGP. Ai Ogura retired due to a gearbox failure, while Johann Zarco and Joan Mir crashed and failed to finish the main race.

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and his team (AA)

Record Breaks and Championship Standings

Following the United States Grand Prix, Marco Bezzecchi secured his fifth consecutive victory, extending a streak that began at the2025 Portuguese Grand Prixand includes the first three races of this season. This places him among the ranks of Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, Mick Doohan and Giacomo Agostini. Additionally, Bezzecchi surpassed Jorge Lorenzo’s 2015 record of 103 consecutive laps led, raising the record to 121 laps.

Bezzecchi became the first rider since Marc Marquez in 2014 to win the first three races of a season in succession.

In the updated championship standings after the race weekend, Marco Bezzecchi leads the general classification with 81 points. Jorge Martin is second with 77 points, and Pedro Acosta is third with 60 points.Toprak Razgatlıoğluentered the general classification in 20th place with his single point.