With MotoGP’s Silly Season winding to a close, the majority of 2026 riders are breathing a collective sigh of relief.
Seats were up for grabs at all major manufacturers heading into next year’s new era of rules, and there was an unprecedented rush of big names chasing big seats.
Pedro Acosta’s switch from KTM to Ducati triggered an almighty chain of events that saw Pecco Bagnaia land at Aprilia on the longest deal of the year, and Jorge Martin switch to Yamaha, replacing Honda-bound Fabio Quartararo.
There are few clues as to what the new order will be heading into the new era of regulations, with many signing on short-term deals as a result.
However, in many cases, riders wielded their reputation for substantial paydays.
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GPBlog takes a look at the new MotoGP rider salaries, sourcing the figures from teams and reliable reports across Europe.
Marc Marquez’s Ducati salary
Starting with the biggest name in MotoGP, Marc Marquez was one of the first dominoes to fall in the rider market.
Form and injuries sparked fears of a retirement for the nine-time champion, but after rediscovering his winning formula in spring, he penned a new deal at Ducati through to the end of 2028.
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Marquez was understood to be on £10.2 million per year previously, a substantial drop-off from the £15.4m he was earning at Honda.
However, Ducati had all the negotiation power when Marquez left the flailing Japanese brand, which is no longer the case as they need him to take on Aprilia.
As such, Marquez’s salary is expected to be around the £12m mark.
Back to winning ways, Marquez has earned a pay rise (Photo: Ducati Corse)
Pedro Acosta’s Ducati salary
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Acosta was one of the most sought-after riders on the market due to some thrilling performances aboard his KTM, where he is paid £1.2m per year.
Reports across Italy and Spain claim that the Spaniard was offered more money from other manufacturers, but opted for a lesser fee at Ducati to increase his chances of winning, much like Marquez.
His new deal is reportedly worth £3.4m per year, but with heavy bonuses that could take it up to the £6m mark.
Marco Bezzecchi’s Aprilia salary
The early championship favourite with three wins to start the season, Bezzecchi will have been smart to get his deal done before his mid-season collapse.
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The Italian’s assault on a marshal and crash-ridden four-race pointless run has seen his reputation plummet, but perhaps not his salary.
Bezzecchi is in his second year with a factory team, meaning he’s on a reported £250,000, a modest figure compared to his title rivals.
He can, though, expect a significant increase in his new multi-year deal, with reports in Italy claiming up to £3m.
Pecco Bagnaia’s Aprilia salary
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Pecco Bagnaia signed the longest deal of the silly season by joining Aprilia until 2030.
The two-time champion is surplus to requirements at Ducati, despite being the most successful rider in their history with two championships.
Bagnaia was understood to be on £6m per year at Ducati in a heavily incentivised deal that could reach £8.5m per year with bonuses.
However, he’s now had to trade topline for stability, accepting a pay cut for a salary of £2.6m per year according to Italian sources.
Bagnaia has taken a pay cut but also been given the sport's longest contract (Photo: Apex Agency)
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Jorge Martin’s Yamaha salary
In contrast to Bagnaia’s situation, Martin is expected to receive a substantial pay rise when he leaves Aprilia for Japanese powerhouse Yamaha.
The 2024 world champion could well arrive as a two-time champion, and Yamaha will have to pay for such a privilege.
Martin is understood to be on £3.6m at Aprilia, plus bonuses, a fee that will increase when he completes his winter move.
However, there is no reliable reporting on Martin’s new salary, but it’s safe to assume it’s an improvement given the £10m that the departing Fabio Quartararo was understood to be on.
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Ai Ogura’s Yamaha salary
Ogura quickly became hot property in MotoGP, having taken the honour as Japan’s first Grand Prix winner since 2004.
At Trackhouse, he is understood to be on a modest satellite salary of £250,000 per year.
There is very little reporting on what he will earn at Yamaha, but given the money the Japanese squad will be saving on Quartararo, he can expect a solid pay rise.
Alex Marquez’s KTM salary
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Alex Marquez can’t be accused of chasing money, leaving a factory Honda for a satellite Ducati, resulting in a runner-up finish in last season’s championship.
Next year he’s heading back to a factory with KTM in a reported ‘multi-year deal’.
Spanish insider Manuel Pecino claims that Marquez is on £350,000 per year at Gresini and was offered £425,000 per year by KTM but wanted to be in the millions.
Eventually, they settled on £870,000 per year.
“I heard he was making €350-400,000 at Gresini. KTM first offered €500,000. He made a counteroffer of €1-2 million. In the end they signed for €1 million.”- Manuel Pecino
Alex Marquez returns to a big money factory seat (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
Fabio Di Giannantonio’s KTM salary
Despite not having his future teammate’s pedigree, it’s understood that the in-demand Fabio Di Giannantonio will be paid substantially more in Austria.
Motorsport.com reports that Di Giannantonio was in an advantageous position with Ducati wanting to keep him and KTM wanting to sign him.
His goals were a factory seat and a €2million (£1.7m) salary, and eventually, KTM agreed to tick both boxes.
Fabio Quartararo’s Honda salary
2021 world champion Quartararo leaves Yamaha after eight years and will spearhead Honda’s planned revival to the top of the standings.
The Frenchman is one of the best-paid riders on the grid at £10m a year and despite being completely uncompetitive this season, he was also sought after by Aprilia, reportedly rejecting a £4.5m salary.
There is no reliable reporting on Quartararo’s future Honda earnings, but given the team’s budget and his place in their new era, it may not be much less than the big bucks at Yamaha.
Joan Mir’s Gresini salary
One-time race winner and 2020 world champion Mir has had one of the most bizarre careers in MotoGP history, and it will continue at Gresini next year.
Mir has completely underwhelmed in recent years, failing to finish higher than 15th in the standings despite Honda paying him a hefty £5m per year.
Despite that, he’s somehow found himself on a factory Ducati next season with Gresini’s satellite team and has taken a pay cut for the privilege, down to £2.5m.
Dani Holgado’s Gresini salary
There is no reporting on Holgado’s Gresini salary, but given he’ll be a rookie graduating from Moto2 where his title challenge is faltering, it’s unlikely to be high.
As part of the new 2027 regulations, a minimum salary is being brought in of €500,000 per year, or £427,000, so it’s safe to assume Holgado won’t be earning much more than that.
Holgado was the first rookie announced for the 2027 season (Credit: Red Bull Content Pool)
Johann Zarco’s LCR Honda salary
As one of the most experienced riders on the grid, 36-year-old Zarco has built up a salary of £3.6m per year during his long career.
It’s understood that the figure is being bumped up to £3.8m upon his renewal for 2027.
Raul Fernandez’s Trackhouse salary
There has been no reporting about Fernandez’s salary at Trackhouse, nor his renewal amount.
The Spaniard instead was focused on contract length, and eventually got what he wanted in a two-year deal.
Teammate Ogura is on £250,000, and with the minimum salary coming in, Fernandez will go up to at least the minimum of £427,000.
Toprak Razgatlioglu's Pramac salary
Razgatlioglu was one of the first riders to have a deal for 2027 with Yamaha, who have placed him at satellite squad, Pramac.
The Turk was on a reported £1.7 per year in WorldSBK and Yamaha are known to pay their riders very well, so a similar figure is expected in his MotoGP contract.
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