MotoGP fans, get ready for a major shake-up on the grid! Brazilian star Diogo Moreira is gearing up for his big MotoGP debut with Honda in 2026, and if you haven’t heard his name yet, you soon will. At just 21 years old, Moreira is about to step up from the world of Moto2 and join the heavyweight class MotoGP.
Who Is Diogo Moreira?
If you follow Moto2, you already know Diogo Moreira as the young gun currently racing for Italtrans. He’s been making waves all season and, as of now, is only 35 points behind the championship leader. Just this past weekend, Moreira showed everyone what he’s made of by dominating the Austrian Grand Prix and taking his second win of the season. The buzz around his possible move to MotoGP has been growing for a while, but now it’s official: Diogo Moreira is heading to Honda, taking over a seat at LCR Honda next year.
Not The Only Deal
The road to Honda wasn’t simple. Diogo Moreira had two tempting offers on the table for 2026: one from Honda and another from Yamaha. Yamaha wanted to place him in its satellite Pramac team as a partner to Toprak Razgatlioglu. For a while, it looked like Yamaha was ahead in the race, but Honda swooped in with a late, irresistible offer, a full factory rider status, not just a satellite seat. For any ambitious racer, that’s the ultimate dream!
Honda’s proposal is a long-term deal, likely lasting three years, starting in 2026, a year that’s being called “transitional” as MotoGP gets ready for big technical changes (hello, 850cc machines). Honda wants Moreira to be fully up to speed and leading its charge when those new bikes hit the track.
Diogo Moreira To Replace Somkiat Chantra
With Diogo Moreira’s arrival, Somkiat Chantra will be leaving the Honda team. Chantra had a tough debut season marred by injury and didn’t get the results he wanted. His departure also means Honda’s partnership with Japanese petroleum giant Idemitsu will end, breaking their traditional Asian market ties. Instead, they’re opening the door to South America, especially with MotoGP set to return to Brazil in 2026, which is perfect timing for everyone! So, keep your eyes on Diogo Moreira next season. It’s going to be wild, and you won’t want to miss it!
Also read: Who Is Fermín Aldeguer? The MotoGP Rookie Who Gave Tough Competition To Marc Marquez
