Fabio Quartararo believes Yamaha will need several months before its new V4 MotoGP bike becomes competitive. After pre-season testing, he said the team is still lacking pace, grip and turning performance, and currently sits well behind rivals. The French rider expects 2026 to be mainly a development year rather than one focused on victories or podium results.
Marc Márquez says his physical condition has influenced negotiations over a new MotoGP contract with Ducati. The team prefers a two-year extension, but the Spaniard has been cautious after his shoulder injury and wants to be sure about his fitness first. He added that if recovery continues to improve, committing to a longer agreement would not be a problem.
Yamaha faced another difficult test with its new V4 MotoGP bike at Buriram. Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins reported problems with power, traction and consistency, leaving the team far from the front. Riders say a stable setup has not yet been found, though Jack Miller noted small improvements and believes development is moving in the right direction.
Pedro Acosta says KTM has improved but may not be ready to win races at the start of the 2026 MotoGP season. After pre-season testing, he described Ducati and Aprilia as the current reference manufacturers. Acosta was encouraged by sprint simulations but admitted the RC16 still needs development before consistently challenging at the front.
Francesco Bagnaia says he has decided his plans for the 2027 MotoGP season but has not yet revealed his next team. Strong speculation connects the two-time champion with a move to Aprilia alongside Marco Bezzecchi. He indicated official announcements will follow soon, as several contracts across the grid are expected to be finalised before the season opener.
Alex Márquez set the quickest time on the opening day of the Buriram MotoGP test. Marc Márquez suffered two crashes during the session but avoided serious injury and continued testing. Teams focused on setup work and long runs as preparations continued before the new season begins.
Fabio Quartararo showed clear frustration with Yamaha’s new V4 MotoGP bike during the Buriram test after struggling for performance. The manufacturer introduced the engine to improve competitiveness but early running has been difficult, including engine issues at Sepang. Quartararo, who also injured a finger in testing earlier, continues working with the team as development progresses.
MotoGP will relocate the Australian Grand Prix from Phillip Island to an Adelaide street circuit from 2027. The move is linked to more reliable weather, higher attendance potential and stronger commercial value. Phillip Island remains popular with riders and fans, but its remote location and unpredictable conditions have affected scheduling and race organisation in recent seasons.
Trackhouse team boss Justin Marks suggested MotoGP could improve racing by adjusting the qualifying format. He believes changes to how grid positions are decided may create closer competition and give more teams a chance to fight near the front. The idea focuses on making race weekends easier to follow and more engaging for fans.
Toprak Razgatlioglu revealed Pramac Yamaha asked him to change his riding style and brake earlier during testing. The former WorldSBK champion explained his natural late-braking approach from Superbikes does not suit the MotoGP bike and tyres. The team believes smoother corner entry will help stability and tyre life as he continues adapting to the category.