Joan Mir says Honda’s 2026 MotoGP bike is not competitive enough after pre-season testing. The rider pointed to a lack of grip as the main weakness and believes only major development can fix it. He added Ducati and Aprilia currently operate at a higher level, leaving Honda starting the season behind its main rivals.
MotoGP is close to approving a €500,000 minimum salary for all full-time riders from the 2027 season. The rule would include rookies and aims to reduce the large pay gap across the grid. Top earners currently make over €10 million annually, while some satellite riders receive far less on basic contracts.
Fabio Quartararo encouraged MotoGP rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu during the Buriram test as the Turkish rider struggled to adapt to the bike and Michelin tyres. Quartararo told him to stay calm and take time to adjust. Razgatlioglu admitted he is still learning and finding confidence after finishing near the bottom of the timesheets.
Toprak Razgatlioglu says he is still learning the limits of the MotoGP bike before his first race. The Pramac Yamaha rider admitted he does not yet trust the Michelin front tyre and struggled for pace during the Buriram test. He believes understanding the limits, even through mistakes, will be key to improving performance.
Ducati says Marc Márquez’s crashes during the Buriram MotoGP test will not affect his performance at the season opener. Team boss Davide Tardozzi backed the reigning champion as a title contender despite the incidents, which Márquez linked to fitness and concentration. The Spaniard still finished third overall, while Ducati reported positive progress with the GP26.
Marc Márquez finished third overall on the final day of the Buriram MotoGP pre-season test despite suffering multiple crashes during the weekend. The Ducati rider showed strong pace in long runs before a fall ended his session early. He said the incidents were caused by tiredness and loss of concentration, but he remained satisfied with the bike’s performance ahead of the opener.
Pedro Acosta says KTM has improved its 2026 MotoGP bike but doubts it can win early races. After pre-season testing, he described Ducati as even more dominant and also highlighted Aprilia’s strong pace. The Spaniard was encouraged by simulations yet admitted the RC16 still needs development before consistently challenging at the front.
Aprilia ended pre-season testing fastest at Buriram, with Marco Bezzecchi leading team-mate Ai Ogura in a 1-2 result. Marc Márquez placed third despite crashing during a long run. Pecco Bagnaia was fourth, while Yamaha remained off the pace. Testing concluded ahead of the Thailand season opener next weekend.
Francesco Bagnaia says Ducati’s 2026 MotoGP bike feels different but better suited to his riding style than last year’s machine. After pre-season testing he reported improved confidence and pace, although he still wants more consistency under braking. The Italian finished the Buriram test near the front and believes preparations have gone more smoothly than a year ago.
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.