Bulega joins VR46: how the MotoGP grid looks for 2027

News Summary

• VR46 has confirmed Nicolò Bulega as Fermín Aldeguer’s teammate for the 2027 MotoGP season.
• The Italian will move from WorldSBK to MotoGP as the category enters its new 850cc and Pirelli era.
• The second Tech3 seat remains unresolved, while Honda and LCR still need to decide where Diego Moreira and David Alonso will race.

VR46 has completed its 2027 MotoGP line-up. After months of speculation, Valentino Rossi’s team confirmed on Wednesday (9) that Nicolò Bulega will join Fermín Aldeguer next season, making the move from the World Superbike Championship to MotoGP.

The announcement follows VR46’s confirmation of Franco Morbidelli’s departure at the end of 2026 and completes the Italian team’s new line-up for the start of MotoGP’s 850cc era. Aldeguer had already been confirmed on a two-year deal with VR46.

Bulega arrives in MotoGP as the current WorldSBK championship leader and after establishing himself as one of Ducati’s leading riders in the production-based series. He also has previous experience with VR46 and has worked as a Ducati test rider during development of the prototype that will compete under the new regulations in 2027.

The move leaves the 2027 MotoGP grid close to completion. Tech3 still has one seat to fill alongside Luca Marini, while Honda and LCR are waiting for HRC to determine how Diego Moreira and David Alonso will be distributed between the factory team and the satellite outfit.

How the 2027 MotoGP grid looks

The 2027 season will mark one of the biggest technical changes in recent MotoGP history. Engine capacity will fall from 1000cc to 850cc, while Pirelli will become the championship’s tyre supplier.

The new regulations have also helped accelerate the arrival of several younger riders, including Bulega, who will make the jump from WorldSBK after becoming one of the standout riders in Ducati’s production-bike programme.

At Ducati Lenovo, Marc Márquez will remain alongside Pedro Acosta after renewing his contract through 2028.

Aprilia will field Marco Bezzecchi and Francesco Bagnaia, with the latter signing a long-term deal that runs through 2030. Yamaha, meanwhile, will continue with Jorge Martín and Ai Ogura.

KTM’s factory team is set to feature Álex Márquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio, while Trackhouse has already secured Raúl Fernández and Enea Bastianini through 2028.

At Pramac Yamaha, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu will be joined by Izan Guevara. Yamaha confirmed Guevara’s promotion from Moto2 after Jack Miller’s departure, completing the satellite team’s line-up.

Gresini will also have a new-look pairing, with Joan Mir joining Dani Holgado for the 2027 campaign.

Honda still has one decision to make

Honda has Fabio Quartararo confirmed for 2027, but the second factory seat remains part of a broader HRC decision involving Moreira and Alonso.

Both riders hold Honda contracts, but the manufacturer still has to decide which one will race alongside Quartararo in the factory team and which will take the second LCR seat alongside Johann Zarco.

That means the two riders are not fighting for a single MotoGP opportunity: both are expected to remain within Honda’s 2027 structure, with only their specific team assignments yet to be determined.

Tech3 remains the last major question mark

Tech3 is currently the only team with a completely unresolved second seat.

Luca Marini has secured his place with the KTM satellite team through 2028, but the second position remains uncertain following the collapse of the proposed continuation of Maverick Viñales.

Viñales had said he had received a new contract from KTM to remain with Tech3, but that agreement was subsequently invalidated, leaving his 2027 future unclear.

With Bulega now officially committed to VR46, the Tech3 vacancy is the final open seat in the 22-rider grid, although the Honda allocation between Moreira and Alonso still needs to be settled.

MotoGP 2027 provisional grid

Bulega’s promotion also adds another intriguing dimension to the 2027 grid. Riders arriving from WorldSBK will already have extensive experience with Pirelli tyres, which could be particularly valuable during MotoGP’s first season with the Italian manufacturer. Pol Espargaró has warned that WorldSBK and Moto2 riders could have a significant advantage from that experience.

For Bulega, the move represents the culmination of an unusual career path. Rather than reaching MotoGP directly through the Grand Prix ladder, the Italian rebuilt his career in the production-bike championships before returning to the premier class as a Ducati test rider and WorldSBK title contender.

The 2027 MotoGP grid is therefore almost complete, with only the final Tech3 seat and the Honda/LCR rider allocation still requiring clarification.

Before the new era begins, MotoGP returns from September 11-13 for the San Marino Grand Prix and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix at Misano, the 14th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover the entire weekend and all the action from the World Motorcycle Championship.

FAQ

Who will Nicolò Bulega race for in MotoGP in 2027?

Bulega will race for VR46 alongside Fermín Aldeguer. The Italian will move from WorldSBK to MotoGP after signing with Valentino Rossi’s team for the 2027 season.

How many seats are still open for the 2027 MotoGP season?

Tech3 still has one open seat alongside Luca Marini. Honda and LCR also have to determine which of Diego Moreira and David Alonso will occupy each of their two HRC-backed positions, although both riders are expected to remain within Honda’s structure.

Who will race in MotoGP in 2027?

The confirmed 2027 grid includes Marc Márquez, Pedro Acosta, Francesco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, Jorge Martín, Ai Ogura, Fabio Quartararo, Álex Márquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, Izan Guevara, Joan Mir, Dani Holgado, Fermín Aldeguer, Nicolò Bulega, Luca Marini, Raúl Fernández and Enea Bastianini. The remaining questions concern Tech3 and the Honda/LCR allocation of Moreira and Alonso.