Overview
- Buriram hosts the season opener this weekend, launching a 22‑round campaign with Saturday Sprints and the established three‑day format.
- Aprilia signaled strong form in the final Buriram test, where Marco Bezzecchi topped the times, though Ducati with Marc Márquez remains the race‑day benchmark.
- Márquez starts as the favorite for a tenth world title; he says his injured shoulder has healed but reported feeling unwell during testing.
- Multiple major moves are reported as imminent for 2027, including Francesco Bagnaia to Aprilia, Jorge Martín to Yamaha, Fabio Quartararo to Honda, Pedro Acosta to the factory Ducati, and an expected Ducati extension for Márquez through 2028.
- Teams treat 2026 as a transition year before sweeping 2027 regulations that cut engines to 850cc, switch tyres to Pirelli, ban lowering devices, and mandate fully sustainable fuel.