Fabio Quartararo’s Honda move looking smarter with 2027 bike development already ahead of schedule

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Honda is making early moves ahead of the 2027 MotoGP season

With teams turning their attention toward 2027, Honda appears to be moving faster than most.

Their search for a second satellite team took a hit when Gresini opted to stick with Ducati, despite what had seemed like promising discussions with Honda.

But that setback hasn’t slowed them down. Now they’re talking to Tech3 about a potential partnership, which would see the team leave KTM.

With Joan Mir set to leave Honda in 2027, questions are swirling about the team’s direction. Some fans wondered if Fabio Quartararo might have second thoughts about his move there.

But from everything being reported around the paddock, Quartararo has reason to feel good about where things are heading.

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Honda’s 2027 preparations reportedly ‘ahead of schedule’ after latest Sepang test

Jack Appleyard was asked which team looks the most prepared heading into the 2027 season, and he gave a surprising answer.

Appearing on the Motorsport Republica podcast, Appleyard pointed to Honda as the team showing the most progress so far. He noted that they’ve already started testing in Sepang this week and appear set for a big step forward.

“Really impossible to say at the moment. As far as we know, the Italian manufacturers haven’t had the 850 on the track yet. Honda, I’ve seen Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami are in Sepang right now, likely testing the 850.

“They are really ahead of schedule and have already been doing a lot of miles on the 850. So you’d have to say, Honda. They’ve been testing in Sepang over Christmas, and they’re now back out again.

“They’re going to have six bikes on the grid. We know how important that is. So yeah, I think Honda look to be in great shape and certainly will be the manufacturer to take the biggest jump from 2026 to 2027.”

Fabio Quartararo can look forward to Honda’s move after a difficult end to his Yamaha spell

If reports about Honda’s progress ahead of 2027 are accurate, it could be a welcome change for Quartararo, who’s had a tough stretch with Yamaha.

During the Austin round, he voiced frustrations about Yamaha’s inability to fix his bike, comments that didn’t sit well with many in the MotoGP community.

Several fans criticised him for those remarks, suggesting they showed a lack of professionalism and composure.

With just one season left at Yamaha, Quartararo will be hoping that a fresh start with Honda helps him turn things around.

Read more:

• Livio Suppo thinks Francesco Bagnaia’s season has raised questions about his future in MotoGP
• Jack Miller expected to remain at Pramac as Toprak Razgatlioglu ‘likely’ to join Yamaha in 2027
• Massimo Rivola backs Aprilia to rejuvenate Francesco Bagnaia following Ducati exit