As contract talks for the 2026 MotoGP season heat up, several riders find themselves under intense scrutiny due to their inconsistent results and injury setbacks. Riders such as Luca Marini, Franco Morbidelli, and Jack Miller currently remain without confirmed deals, prompting questions about who might be replaced. With growing interest from Moto2 prospects and the arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu at Pramac Yamaha, the competition for seats is fiercer than ever, leaving some established riders at risk of losing their position on the grid.
Performance Concerns Put Miguel Oliveira’s Future in Doubt at Yamaha
Among the riders facing critical evaluation is Miguel Oliveira, whose place on Pramac Yamaha’s lineup for 2026 seems increasingly uncertain. Despite a commendable career highlighted by five wins with KTM, Oliveira’s move to Aprilia in 2023 failed to deliver comparable success, and his current two-year deal with Yamaha, beginning this season, is widely seen as questionable compared to teammate Jack Miller’s shorter contract. Oliveira has struggled to match Miller’s pace when fit and has yet to secure a top-10 finish in the ongoing season, raising doubts about his reliability in contributing to bike development.
Expert Lewis Duncan states,
“For someone with race winning pedigree, Miguel Oliveira has quickly proven his place on the MotoGP grid for next year to be unjustifiable.”
—Lewis Duncan, MotoGP Analyst
Further analysis highlights Oliveira’s low championship standing and ongoing injury challenges, with Peter McLaren pointing out,
“The two names at the bottom of the world championship table are Miguel Oliveira (6 points) and Somkiat Chantra (1 point). Both have mitigating circumstances: Oliveira missing several rounds due to injury, Chantra being on one of the toughest bikes for a rookie and now also injured.”
—Peter McLaren, MotoGP Commentator
Alex Whitworth also weighs in, emphasizing the availability of promising riders ready to fill Oliveira’s spot, saying,
“Miguel Oliveira has been quite average all year, and when you consider the riders who could replace him – Diogo Moreira, Manuel Gonzalez, for example – it becomes tougher to justify the 30-year-old in 2026.”
—Alex Whitworth, Racing Expert
Somkiat Chantra’s Struggles on LCR Honda Place His Seat at Risk
Somkiat Chantra, the first Thai rider in MotoGP, has faced a challenging rookie season marked by frequent lower grid finishes and only a single points finish with 15th place at Assen. His adaptation to the demanding Honda RC213V has been slow, and his future is clouded despite support from Idemitsu sponsorship, which technically protects his ride. Industry insiders suggest Honda is considering replacing Chantra with rising Brazilian Moto2 star Diogo Moreira to improve competitiveness.
Derry Munikartono observes,
“Regrettably, that would be Somkiat Chantra at LCR Honda. His promotion to MotoGP was historic and symbolic, backed by Idemitsu’s vision to nurture Asian talent, he became the first Thai rider in the premier class. But sentiment alone doesn’t guarantee results.”
—Derry Munikartono, MotoGP Analyst
With discussions between LCR team boss Lucio Cecchinello and Honda planned around the Suzuka 8 Hours race, Chantra’s ability to dramatically improve in the latter half of the season will be crucial. Cecchinello has confirmed these talks will be pivotal in determining the second seat at LCR.
Consistent Underperformance Fuels Calls for Change
The mounting pressure on Oliveira and Chantra is echoed by Jordan Moreland, who stresses the need for regular point-scoring and stronger results, especially given the riders’ experience.
“Miguel Oliveira hasn’t delivered for a few years now in MotoGP, either on the Aprilia or the Yamaha. Yes, very unlucky with injury and getting caught up in incidents. But he should be scoring points and top tens regularly, given the calibre of rider he is. He is 25th in the standings with just six points; it simply isn’t good enough.”
—Jordan Moreland, MotoGP Analyst
The presence of excited and capable young riders waiting in the wings, such as Diogo Moreira and Manuel Gonzalez, further intensifies the challenge for current grid holders to justify their spots going into the 2026 season. The arrival of World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu to Pramac Yamaha adds additional competition, signaling a reshuffling of the rider order might be imminent.
Rising Talent and Team Strategies Set to Reshape the 2026 Grid
With contract negotiations underway and teams closely monitoring performances, the likelihood of changes in the rider lineup for 2026 is high. Teams are not only balancing loyalty and experience but also focusing on consistent results and the development potential of riders to keep their competitive edge. The season’s second half will be critical for riders on the cusp, as teams finalize plans for the future. The combination of injury concerns, underperformance, and emerging talent ensures that the grid could look very different in the next MotoGP campaign, reflecting a sport constantly evolving toward greater speed and skill.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. Unfortunately, entertainment grabs more attention than sports, and MotoGP is attempting to benefit from this trend. However, MotoGP currently lacks personalities who can bring enough excitement to make it engaging.
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. John Surtees is known for being the only person to win World Championships on both motorcycles and in Formula 1 racing. He excelled in both fields with skill and courage.
Q. Did F1 buy MotoGP?
A. F1 has just received approval to buy MotoGP. Here’s what the future holds with this change.
Q. Is F1 buying MotoGP?
A. Liberty Media, owners of Formula 1, will finalize a £3.6 billion purchase of MotoGP by Thursday. The deal allows Liberty Media to acquire 84% of MotoGP’s commercial rights holder, Dorna. The European Commission approved this cash transaction last week.
