Summary
- Honda and Red Bull have officially confirmed their renewed MotoGP partnership from 2027.
- Their previous association ran from 2015–2023 and produced four riders’ championships.
- The agreement coincides with Quartararo’s arrival and MotoGP’s switch to 850cc machinery.
Honda and Red Bull will reunite in MotoGP from the 2027 season, restoring a partnership that accompanied some of the Japanese manufacturer’s most successful years. Announced on Thursday, 1 October, the agreement will bring Red Bull branding back to Honda HRC’s factory motorcycles and riders.
The confirmation turns the previously reported negotiations into an official partnership. It also adds a commercial component to Honda’s preparations for 2027, when Fabio Quartararo joins the manufacturer and the championship introduces its new generation of 850cc bikes.
Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe highlighted the importance of working with partners who share the manufacturer’s ambitions during that transition.
“Going into the new championship, with the 850cc bikes, it is essential to have partners who share the same goals and ambitions,” Watanabe said.
Honda and Red Bull revive a championship-winning partnership
The previous Honda–Red Bull partnership ran from 2015 to 2023, encompassing four riders’ world championships, 45 victories and 93 podium finishes, according to the announcement. Marc Márquez, Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo were among the riders who represented Honda during that period.
The renewed agreement was accompanied by a campaign filmed in Tokyo, The Mechanic and the Calligrapher. It combines motorcycle engineering with Japanese calligraphy and features a Red Bull-branded 2023 RC213V, connecting the earlier partnership with the programme beginning in 2027.
Honda HRC team manager Alberto Puig described winning as the shared objective behind the reunion.
“Neither organisation is satisfied with anything other than winning,” Puig said in the announcement.
The original association ended after Márquez left Honda for Gresini Ducati at the conclusion of 2023. His departure allowed Red Bull to activate a contractual clause releasing it from the sponsorship agreement.
Red Bull’s return now forms part of a different Honda project, with Quartararo arriving as the manufacturer prepares for a major technical reset. The partnership restores a familiar name to the factory programme while the team seeks to recover its competitiveness.
What the agreement means for Quartararo
Quartararo’s arrival gives the sponsorship decision an immediate consequence for one of MotoGP’s most recognisable riders. The Frenchman has maintained a long association with Monster Energy, Red Bull’s rival, since entering the premier class in 2019.
As previously reported in the explanation of Quartararo’s expected split with Monster, Honda’s team agreement is expected to take precedence over his personal sponsorship.
Honda provided the funds required to terminate Quartararo’s existing arrangement. The team partnership is officially confirmed; the compensation details remain reported information, with no amount disclosed in the material consulted.
The change adds to the transition already underway around Quartararo. He will leave Yamaha after the current season, with the manufacturer acknowledging that their relationship has cooled ahead of his Honda move.
Red Bull’s Honda return does not end its KTM partnership
Red Bull’s agreement with Honda should not be read as confirmation that it is leaving KTM’s factory team. KTM announced an extension of its own Red Bull partnership in July, covering the beginning of the new 850cc era.
The Austrian manufacturer’s announcement confirmed continued Red Bull branding on its factory motorcycles. The position of satellite team Tech3 is a separate matter and should not be conflated with KTM’s renewed agreement.
For Honda, the commercial announcement comes ahead of its home race at Motegi. The Japanese Grand Prix runs from 2–4 October, with practice on Friday, qualifying and the Sprint on Saturday, and the main race on Sunday.
The complete Japanese MotoGP schedule and session start times are available on GRANDE PRÊMIO, which will cover the weekend.
MotoGP today: FAQ
What time does the Japanese MotoGP race start?
The race starts on Sunday, 4 October, at 14:00 JST: 06:00 BST in the UK, 01:00 EDT in eastern US and Canada, 10:30 IST in India and 16:00 AEDT in Sydney and Melbourne. In Los Angeles and Vancouver, it begins at 22:00 PDT on Saturday, 3 October.
Can Marc Márquez take the MotoGP championship lead in Japan?
Yes. Márquez trails Jorge Martín by seven points after winning Saturday’s Sprint. If Márquez wins Sunday’s race and Martín finishes third or lower, Márquez takes the lead. Second place for Márquez and fourth for Martín would also be enough: they would draw level on points, with Márquez ahead on the Grand Prix victory tiebreak.
Why has Michelin withdrawn the soft rear tyre at Motegi?
Michelin withdrew the soft rear tyre after problems during Saturday’s Sprint, including those affecting Jorge Martín and Francesco Bagnaia. The medium and hard options remain available, but Michelin recommends the hard and has warned that the medium still carries risks.
When will Red Bull return to Honda in MotoGP?
The renewed partnership begins in 2027, with Red Bull branding returning to Honda HRC’s factory bikes and riders.
