News Summary
- Honda has selected Diogo Moreira for Monday’s MotoGP Pirelli test at the Red Bull Ring.
- The session will give Moreira his first opportunity to ride Honda’s 850cc prototype after he was left out of the Brno test.
- Moreira’s previous Pirelli experience in Moto2 could provide Honda with valuable comparative feedback for 2027.
Honda has selected Diogo Moreira to participate in Monday’s MotoGP test at the Red Bull Ring, giving the LCR rookie his first opportunity to work directly with the manufacturer’s 2027 prototype and Pirelli tyres.
The session will take place one day after the Austrian GP and represents the final test conducted during the 2026 championship with current race riders. Another collective session is planned after the season-ending Valencia GP, but that will form part of the post-season programme.
Moreira’s inclusion represents a change in Honda’s approach. The Japanese manufacturer did not select the Brazilian for the first major test of the new technical package at Brno in June, when Luca Marini and Joan Mir were preferred because of their greater experience developing the current RC213V.
At the time, LCR team principal Lucio Cecchinello made Moreira available but acknowledged that Honda had other development priorities. Honda team manager Alberto Puig subsequently indicated that another opportunity would arrive later in the season. That opportunity has now come at Spielberg.
Why Moreira’s Pirelli experience matters
MotoGP will introduce one of the most significant technical changes in its history in 2027. Engine capacity will fall from 1000cc to 850cc, aerodynamics will be restricted and ride-height devices will be prohibited.
Pirelli will simultaneously replace Michelin as MotoGP’s exclusive tyre supplier under an agreement running through 2031. The Italian company already supplies Moto2 and Moto3, meaning Moreira has extensive experience with its tyres from his time in the intermediate category.
That background could make his feedback particularly valuable. Moreira knows the construction and behaviour of Michelin’s current MotoGP rubber after spending the 2026 season with LCR, but he also has recent experience adapting his braking and corner-entry technique around Pirelli tyres.
The two manufacturers require different approaches. Riders and engineers involved in early testing have reported significant changes in braking stability, front-end feedback and the way the rear tyre generates grip on corner exit.
Pol Espargaró has warned that some MotoGP riders could “suffer a lot” during the transition, particularly those whose riding styles are closely adapted to Michelin’s front tyre.
Moreira should begin from a more familiar position than several established MotoGP riders. However, the combination of Pirelli rubber, reduced engine capacity and Honda’s developing chassis means the test will involve much more than transferring his Moto2 knowledge to a faster motorcycle.
Honda previously prioritised Mir and Marini
Honda’s decision to exclude Moreira from the Brno test initially attracted attention because the rookie remains part of the manufacturer’s long-term programme.
Only a limited number of Pirelli tyres and test motorcycles were available at Brno. Honda therefore selected Mir and Marini, arguing that riders with greater knowledge of the existing RC213V could provide clearer comparisons between the current motorcycle and the 2027 prototype.
Moreira accepted the decision publicly and said he understood Honda’s reasoning. The Austrian session now allows the manufacturer to obtain a different type of information: feedback from a young rider with recent Pirelli experience and fewer established habits from the Michelin era.
Honda will use the test to continue development of its 850cc engine, chassis and electronics while helping Pirelli define its final range of compounds and constructions for 2027.
The session will be held behind closed doors, and no official comparative times are expected to be released.
Test adds another dimension to Honda’s 2027 decision
Moreira’s participation also arrives while Honda determines the structure of its 2027 rider line-up.
Fabio Quartararo is expected to lead the factory project, while Honda must allocate Moreira and David Alonso between its works team and LCR. Moreira’s rookie performances have strengthened his claim to the factory position, with Cal Crutchlow arguing that he deserves promotion after his first MotoGP season.
The Red Bull Ring test should not be interpreted as confirmation of Honda’s decision. It nevertheless gives the manufacturer an additional opportunity to evaluate Moreira’s technical feedback and adaptation to the package it will race next season.
Moreira’s current Honda contract runs beyond 2026, ensuring that the information he collects will remain inside the manufacturer’s programme regardless of whether he competes for the factory team or LCR.
MotoGP will complete the Austrian GP on Sunday before the manufacturers return to the Red Bull Ring for Monday’s closed Pirelli test.
MotoGP today: FAQ
Who won the 2026 Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix?
Pedro Acosta won the Austrian GP, beating Jorge Martín by 1.017s after taking the lead on lap nine.
Was Austria Pedro Acosta’s first MotoGP victory?
Yes. The 2026 Austrian GP was Acosta’s first full-distance MotoGP victory after 15 previous premier-class podiums.
Who leads the 2026 MotoGP championship after Austria?
Jorge Martín leads with 306 points. Marc Márquez is second on 294, leaving Martín 12 points ahead with seven rounds remaining.
When will Diogo Moreira test Honda’s 2027 MotoGP motorcycle?
Moreira is scheduled to participate in the closed Pirelli test at the Red Bull Ring on Monday, one day after the 2026 Austrian GP.
