Diogo Moreira is finalising the details of an agreement that will see him step up to MotoGP next season, riding a Honda for the LCR team, Autosport has learned.
The move, which will promote the 21-year-old Brazilian – currently battling for the Moto2 world championship with Italtrans – to the premier class, is expected to be completed in the coming days, most likely at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix.
Moreira’s arrival at LCR will mean the departure of Somkiat Chantra, who has struggled to make an impact since his MotoGP debut earlier this year and remains sidelined through injury.
Autosport understands that the Thai rider’s exit will also bring an end to Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu’s role as title sponsor of Lucio Cecchinello’s team on that side of the garage.
That entry’s established Asian market connection will thus be severed as MotoGP welcomes a Brazilian rider back to the grid for the first time since seven-time premier class winner Alex Barros stopped in 2007. But Moreira dislikes suggestions that his nationality would be a major factor in his signing.
“If I move up to MotoGP, it’s because I’m performing well; [my nationality] doesn’t matter. It will be because I twist the throttle, not because of the [Brazilian] flag,” Moreira said on Sunday, shortly after dominating the Austrian Grand Prix to claim his second Moto2 victory of 2025.
He hinted that his known ties with Yamaha’s Brazilian branch amounted to little more than a practical arrangement: “They simply lend me the bikes for training, and I return them at the end of the season”.
As reported on Monday, Moreira had two offers on the table for a MotoGP seat in 2026 – one from Honda and another from Yamaha.
Although Yamaha initially appeared to have taken the lead by lining up the Sao Paulo native for its satellite Pramac team, where he would have partnered Toprak Razgatlioglu, Honda launched a late offensive by committing to give him factory rider status.
Autosport understands that Honda’s proposal includes a long-term deal, likely spanning three years, with 2026 regarded as a transitional season.
The aim is for Moreira to be fully up to speed in MotoGP by the time the 2027 technical regulations come into force, when 850cc prototypes will replace the current 1000cc machines.
Strategically, the move makes sense for Honda both from a sporting perspective – Moreira is currently 35 points behind Moto2 leader Manuel Gonzalez – and from a promotional standpoint, with the championship’s return to Brazil looming in 2026.
Since Barros, there has only been one rider from the entire continent of South America in MotoGP. Colombian Yonny Hernandez appeared in the category between 2012 and 2016.
The decision also has wider repercussions. Chief among them, Jack Miller now looks increasingly likely to extend his Yamaha deal and remain with Pramac through 2026.
The Australian, who was understood to be in a battle with team-mate Miguel Oliveira for the one available Pramac ride, now appears to have a stronger case than the Portuguese.
Oliviera, who initially signed a two-year contract until the end of 2026, may find himself vulnerable to a performance clause working against him after missing several rounds due to injury.
Autosport understands that Miller has also been courted by both Honda and Ducati for a switch to the Superbike World Championship.
