Diogo Moreira stuns MotoGP paddock with record-breaking 850cc Honda
Moreira has stunned in MotoGP's latest 2027 test (Photo: Race Pictures)
16:30, 26 Sep
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Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
The final test of MotoGP’s new era of bikes looks to have been by far the most consequential yet with an extraordinary performance from Diogo Moreira.
A number of the 2026 grid took part in the event at the Red Bull Ring, just days after a remarkable first MotoGP victory for Pedro Acosta at the circuit.
However, in testing of next year’s 850cc bikes, he was beaten to the top of the timesheets in surprise fashion.
Moreira smashes MotoGP lap record on new 850cc Honda
Moreira not only took Honda to top spot, but he beat the lap record.
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The Brazilian clocked a 01:28.4, faster than the official lap record of 01:29.519 set by Francesco Bagnaia in 2024.
The news comes as a huge shock, with next year's bikes dropping down from 1000cc, while aerodynamics are hugely reduced and the new Pirelli tyres represent a massive challenge.
Honda's stunning pace sends major signal ahead of 2027
Yet Moreira’s performance isn’t just a sign of the general performance, but that of the sport’s most successful team, Honda, which has been in the doldrums in recent years.
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The Japanese manufacturer haven’t won a riders’ championship since 2019 with Marc Marquez, while none of their riders have finished in the top 10 of the standings since 2021.
It’s also big news for Moreira himself, who, while contracted to Honda next year, doesn’t know which team he’ll be racing for.
Riding a satellite LCR bike this year, he and Moto2 talent David Alonso are fighting for the factory spot alongside Fabio Quartararo.
Alonso is rivaling Moreira for the top seat (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
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22 riders have been contracted for the 22 spots on the 2027 grid, but Honda’s final choice of which of the two will race for the main squad is the only mystery remaining.
Moreira is the reigning Moto2 champion, but sits 14th in this year’s MotoGP championship with a season-best sixth-place in Hungary.
Alonso, meanwhile, is fourth in the Moto2 standings, 90.5 points off the lead, and has one victory and three podiums to his name.
Crutchlow backs Moreira for factory Honda promotion
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One rider who has partnered Moreira this season has no doubt about where he should be next season.
Cal Crutchlow replaced the injured Johann Zarco for a series of races, and got to experience Moreira as his teammate.
Speaking to MotoGP in Aragon, he said: “He deserves to be there before David Alonso, in my opinion.
“He's had a year at it. He's regularly beating the other Honda riders, or there or thereabouts, in his first year as a rookie. So in my opinion it’s an absolute no-brainer.
“The other side to that is if David Alonso goes to LCR, that's also a perfect scenario. Same as Diogo did to grow up in MotoGP.
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“The bikes are no different; I think you just have less pressure. Yes, of course, maybe sometimes some different parts, but these guys have all got factory contracts.
“So in that sense, there's really no difference. It's just to say you're riding for a factory team, or you're riding for a satellite team.
“But now, as you see in MotoGP, basically every team is a factory team.”
Explaining what makes the 22-year-old the complete package, he added: “Everybody knows good talent when you see it. But there's a difference between talent and a good head, and he's got both.
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“I like him. He's a great kid. Give him three years and he'll be, in my opinion, able to be MotoGP World Champion.
“I can see from the data, I can see the way he rides. For a first-year rookie to be doing what he's doing, on a bike that’s still progressing as well - it's not as if he's jumped on a Ducati or Aprilia that's winning races every week. And he's doing superb.
“The way he manages races, the way he fights, he's not scared. I like that about him. He never complains – I mean he knows if it's him, if it's the bike. He's very intelligent. It was good fun to have him as a teammate for those six races.”
Acosta second as MotoGP completes latest 850cc test
Elsewhere in the Austria test, race winner Acosta finished second ahead of Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi on harder tyres.
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There was also a notable return to action for Tech3’s Maverick Vinales who has been out injured for four races and will be leaving the sport at the end of the season.
The next test takes place in December after the season finale in Valencia.
Full results from MotoGP's Red Bull Ring test
Moreira 1'28.4
Acosta 1'28.9
Bezzecchi 1'29.1 (with hard tyres)
Aldeguer 1'29.1
Zarco 1'29.1
Vinales 1'29.2 (with a depowered 1000cc)
Morbidelli 1'29.4
R. Fernandez 1'29.4
M. Marquez 1'29.5
Agius 1'29.6 (with 1000cc depowered)
Nakagami 1'29.7 (with 1000cc depowered)
Binder 1'29.9 (with 1000cc depowered)
Vinales 1'29.9 (with 850cc)
P. Espargaro 1'29.9
Razgatlioglu 1'30.0
Miller 1'30.5
Guevara 1'30.5 (with 1000cc depowered)
A. Fernandez 1'31.3
Savadori 1'31.5
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