MotoGP manufacturers boycott Jerez gala in aggressive push for F1-style profits

Tensions between Carmelo Ezpeleta and MotoGP manufacturers have reached a breaking point ahead of Le Mans. Teams, led by Aprilia’s Massimo Rivola and negotiator Lin Jarvis, are demanding an F1-style 50% profit-sharing model for the 2027–2031 cycle. Ezpeleta is reportedly "annoyed" by these aggressive tactics, including a recent high-profile dinner boycott in Jerez that snubbed Liberty Media executives. 

Quartararo Teases Special Le Mans Livery as French GP Home Race Builds

Fabio Quartararo teased “something special” for his home French Grand Prix at Le Mans this weekend in an official Yamaha preview, saying he is curious to see how the Jerez test improvements translate to the French circuit. The something special refers to a special one-off livery for his M1, a tradition Quartararo has kept at Le Mans in recent years. A new Yamaha engine is not expected until after the French Grand Prix.

Joan Mir searches for Honda breakthrough at French Grand Prix

Joan Mir heads to France hoping to build on small electronic and acceleration gains made during the Jerez test. The 2020 champion has endured a difficult start to 2026, sitting 18th in the standings. Mir remains the lead development rider for HRC, focusing on setup parameters that could provide short-term gains at the physically demanding Le Mans circuit.

Marc Marquez armed with new Ducati upgrades for Le Mans redemption

Marc Marquez looks to bounce back at Le Mans after a frustrating DNF in the Spanish Grand Prix. Despite winning two Sprints this year, the nine-time champion sits fifth in the standings. Following a Jerez test where he was the fastest Ducati, Marquez is optimistic that new fairing and chassis upgrades have fixed his front-end feeling issues. 

Brad Binder eyes top five return at Le Mans with technical upgrades

Brad Binder heads to Le Mans armed with a new aero package and rear shock designed to improve turning. The KTM star showed flashes of speed with a P4 in the Jerez Sprint but is looking for Sunday consistency. Currently 12th in the standings, Binder aims to use the RC16’s improved stability to hunt for his first 2026 podium.

Fabio Quartararo targets home glory at Le Mans after Jerez test breakthrough

Home hero Fabio Quartararo arrives at Le Mans seeking a breakthrough for the Yamaha V4 project. After finding gains in front-end feeling during the Jerez test, the Frenchman is managing expectations for a podium. With his 2027 Honda move already confirmed, Quartararo is focused on delivering a result for his massive home crowd despite Yamaha’s current development hurdles. 

Folger Returns to MotoGP at Le Mans as Vinales Misses Second Straight Round

Maverick Vinales will miss the French Grand Prix at Le Mans for the second consecutive round, still recovering from his shoulder operation. German rider Jonas Folger replaces him at Tech3 KTM for the Le Mans weekend. Vinales had been targeting a Jerez return that never materialised, and Le Mans now also passes him by. Folger returns to the MotoGP grid for the first time in several years, giving the French Grand Prix an unexpected subplot heading into Thursday’s media day.

Marquez Needs First 2026 Sunday Win at Le Mans to Reignite Title Challenge

Marc Marquez is 44 points behind Bezzecchi and still without a Sunday Grand Prix win in 2026 after his lap two crash at Jerez. A response is craved at Le Mans, a circuit where Ducati has delivered a different winner in each of the last several seasons since Marquez’s 2019 victory with Honda. Alex Marquez, Johann Zarco and Quartararo are confirmed for Thursday’s Le Mans press conference , setting up another extraordinary storyline heading into Friday.

Quartararo Targets Le Mans Breakthrough on Yamaha V4 After Jerez Test Progress

Fabio Quartararo heads into his home Grand Prix at Le Mans with slightly raised expectations after a more positive Jerez test, having found a small improvement in front end feeling on the Yamaha V4. Quartararo was Yamaha’s leading light at Jerez but finished 14th and will be pushing for considerably more at Le Mans. He holds the Le Mans circuit lap record and took pole position there in 2025. The crowd will be his.

Can Zarco Repeat 2025 Le Mans Magic? Honda Rider Heads Home on a High

Johann Zarco delivered his best weekend of the 2026 season at Jerez, qualifying on the front row from Q1 before finishing seventh in the Grand Prix. The defending Le Mans winner now heads back to France carrying genuine momentum for the first time this season. Zarco became the first French rider to win at home since 1954 when he triumphed at Le Mans in 2025 , in front of a record 300,000 crowd.