Andrew McLarneyMotoGP Reporter
Andrew McLarney is a MotoGP reporter for GPBlog. With four years experience as a professional writer across the sports and video game industries, his experience as a K1 Premier League competitor evolved into a fascination with all forms of combat sport and eventually motorsport — with MotoGP becoming his primary focus. On top of that he is also an avid follower of MXGP and AMA Supercross as well as F1 and GT racing.
The MotoGP rider market has been in nothing less than complete turmoil lately, which is strange considering how few signings have actually been officially announced so far.
The majority of riders will be out of a contract by the end of 2026, leading to what is expected to be the most dramatic rider market shakeup for many years.
While there is still some uncertainty surrounding the future of Marc Marquez and Ducati, it seems almost certain that Pedro Acosta will replace Bagnaia at the factory team.
Marquez's signature is arguably the most important one in the MotoGP paddock, as should he decide to switch to any of the other teams it would be hard to imagine any of them turning him down.
However, it is not Marquez who has been keeping the rider market on hold as previously thought. Instead, the finalization of a new 'Concorde Agreement' between the manufacturers and the MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group is the real dam preventing a flood of rider transfers and signings.
ADVERTISEMENT
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
The document deals primarily with the distribution of revenue to the respective MotoGP teams, so without a concrete guaruntee of future funding in the championship, the manufacturers will be hesistant to commit to any long-term future signings.
Nonetheless, it seems highly likely that Fabio Quartararo will depart Yamaha at the end of the year, with Jorge Martin believed to be the most likely replacement. Elsewhere, Bagnaia is set to make way for Acosta and join his fellow Italian Marco Bezzecchi at Aprilia.
Other rumours suggest that Gresini could be losing prodigious talent Fermin Aldeguer to VR45, while Alex Marquez looks set to switch to a factory ride at KTM.
It's not clear whether Gresini will remain with Ducati for 2027 and beyond. The same goes for Tech3 and Trackhouse Racing who could potentially switch to different factory providers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read also
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on GoogleRead more about:
latest news
British Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 03.07.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Sprint Qualification
03:30 PM
Saturday 04.07.26
Sprint Race
11:00 AM
Qualification
03:00 PM
Sunday 05.07.26
Race
02:00 PM
Friday 03.07.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Sprint Qualification
Fri 03:30 PM
Saturday 04.07.26
Sprint Race
Sat 11:00 AM
Qualification
Sat 03:00 PM
Sunday 05.07.26
Race
Sun 02:00 PM
Times are in your local timezone
Rumors
Popular on GPBlog
1
Hamilton gets FIA call ahead of British GP as Verstappen and Russell absent
838 times read
2
Norris names only team he'd leave McLaren for: 'There's only one place I would ever be interested in'
714 times read
3
Shocking plans revealed to convert iconic race venue into golf course
695 times read
4
Hamilton keeps Ferrari expectations grounded: 'There’s no magic fix in racing'
557 times read
F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 171 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 131 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 125 | |
4 | McLarenMCL | 80 | |
5 | McLarenMCL | 79 | |
6 | FerrariFER | 79 | |
7 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 73 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 42 | |
9 | AlpineALP | 41 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 30 |
Loading
