– Diogo Moreira is increasingly making a name for himself in his debut season in MotoGP. At the Aragon Grand Prix, the 22-year-old was once again the best Honda rider and at the same time the first rider on a Japanese motorcycle to finish.
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For Moreira, this is further proof that he is fulfilling his task and thus gathering arguments for a promotion to the Honda factory team. “I am doing my job and I think we are going in the right direction,” Moreira explained on Sunday.
“Almost always I am in the top 10 and at the same time the first Honda rider. That’s why I think we are doing our job well. There is actually nothing more to say about it.”
His season so far also underlines this assessment. Moreira has already collected five top-10 results. Since his ninth place at the Catalonia Grand Prix, he has only once finished outside the top 11 (in Assen). In Hungary, he achieved his best MotoGP result so far with sixth place.
In addition, there is a remarkable qualifying streak: In Italy, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, Moreira reached Q2 three times in a row. He also made it into the second qualifying session in Aragon. There he ultimately started from tenth place.
Limits of the current Honda package
At the Aragon Grand Prix, however, Moreira also clearly felt where the limits of the current Honda motorcycle lie. In the race, he fought among others with Ducati riders as well as Tech3 rider Enea Bastianini on the KTM.
“On Sunday I fought with some Ducatis and with Enea. To achieve more, we have to make a very big step forward with the motorcycle,” explains the Brazilian. “With what we currently have, the best we can achieve on a race weekend is sixth or seventh place. That’s why I think I am doing my job well,” the rookie emphasizes.
His performances are thus a clear argument for Moreira. At the same time, his future at Honda is confirmed, but which team he will be with remains open for now.
Honda remains reserved on rider selection
For the factory team, newcomer Fabio Quartararo, who comes from Yamaha, is set from 2027. His teammate could be Moreira. However, Honda has also signed Moto2 talent David Alonso without officially confirming whether he will race for the factory team or the satellite team LCR.
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In Honda’s statement, it only said: “Honda Racing Corporation is pleased to confirm the signing of David Alonso with a multi-year contract.” This inevitably raises the question about Moreira’s future.
Contract could be decisive for 2028
The Brazilian had already joined Honda a year before Alonso. He has a direct contract with Honda but races for LCR. Two years plus an optional third season were agreed. This third contract period will be automatically activated if Moreira is promoted to the Honda factory team in 2027.
This means conversely: If Honda decides against a promotion, Moreira would be free for the 2028 season according to the current contract understanding.
LCR hopes for Moreira to stay
The situation is also causing tension at LCR. Although Honda has so far remained completely reserved, the pressure on the involved riders is increasing. LCR team boss Lucio Cecchinello recently admitted that the uncertainty is a burden.
Cecchinello would like to keep Moreira at LCR for the coming season as well. At the same time, he understands that the rookie wants to take the next step and move up to the official Honda team. When the decision will be made has not yet been officially confirmed. However, much points to the Japanese Grand Prix.
Then it could be decided how Honda will set up its two MotoGP teams, the factory team and LCR, for the coming season. With the exception of LCR rider Johann Zarco, all riders are already under factory contracts. This also applies to the two Honda test riders Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami.
Moreira remains unaffected
When asked whether the current uncertainty means additional pressure for him, Moreira remains surprisingly calm. “No, it doesn’t affect me,” says the 22-year-old and draws the comparison: “Last year I had more pressure when I was fighting for the Moto2 World Championship. This year everything is very clear for me, and my future is clear too. That’s why I am enjoying the moment.”
With this, Moreira mainly conveys one thing: He does not want to be distracted by speculation but wants to deliver his answer to the open rider question on the track, with consistent results and as the currently strongest Honda rider.
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