Several MotoGP teams are pushing for a budget cap in the top tier of the sport, amid growing concern over Honda’s financial muscle.
After years of decline, the Japanese manufacturer is now in 2026 looking to climb its way back up towards the front of the grid, after picking up C-rank concessions last season.
Even though the RC213V isn’t a race-winner just yet, there’s clear potential in the project — largely thanks to Honda’s financial backing. That’s why some rivals are now pushing for something similar to Formula 1’s budget cap system.
Honda is already talking with Tech3 about joining LCR as a second satellite team. They aim to match Ducati by running six bikes on the grid by 2027, and it underlines just how strong their financial position has become.
Honda is starting to rebuild after a difficult period. They’re expected to be up there with the best again, and that’s a worry for some of the other teams.
Speaking on The Race MotoGP Podcast, journalist Simon Patterson said: “I honestly think that bike is close enough to be competitive, that the new regulation cycle is going to give them the boost that they need, and they’re Honda. They come to win races. Like that’s what they do,” he said.
“Winning races is what Honda have done since 1965, since the first Premier title. It’s what they’re going to continue to do.
“Every other manufacturer in MotoGP, apart from Yamaha, probably, they won’t say it out loud, but they want an F1 price cap, a budget cap just to slow down Honda.
“Because Ducati are selling 50,000 bikes a year, 50,000 Panigales a year to fund their MotoGP project, and Honda is selling 4 million in Indonesia.
“There is so much resource behind what they do, that for me, OK, it might not be ’27, but Honda are going to win again, without a doubt, Honda are going to win, and Honda don’t just win, they dominate.”
Ducati already has six machines racing every weekend through its customer teams (VR46 Racing Team and Gresini Racing), in addition to factory units of Pramac Racing and Desmosedici. The Japanese giants will be matched on the grid by introducing a second factory satellite lineup.
It’s been a while since Honda last won the MotoGP title, going back to Marc Marquez in 2019. The team has struggled to put together a competitive package since then, but the changes coming in 2027 could mix things up.
If the reports are accurate, they might finally have a bike that can compete next season. Their rider lineup certainly looks strong. Fabio Quartararo is joining from Yamaha, and Moto2 standout David Alonso is expected to be his teammate.
Quartararo will become the highest-paid rider on the grid next year. Frustrated by Yamaha’s slow progress on development, he made the move to Honda hoping for a more competitive bike.
The pairing of Quartararo and Alonso is generating plenty of excitement for 2027. With Honda’s financial muscle behind them, there’s hope they can push for wins and maybe even challenge for the title. But how quickly they adapt to the new bike remains an open question.
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