MotoGP rider lineup changes and wildcard entries

Ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix on 31 October 2026, the MotoGP lineup has seen critical changes with Jorge Martín being declared fit to race while Raúl Fernández was forced to withdraw. Additionally, the 2027 premier class grid is now fully finalized following the confirmation of the final remaining seats at Honda and LCR.

• Jorge Martín declared fit for Malaysian GP: After fracturing his right wrist in Australia, Jorge Martín passed a secondary medical review following Free Practice 1 on 30 October 2026 and has been cleared to compete for the remainder of the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend. (November 1, 2026 at 09:00 GMT+2 – November 1, 2026 at 10:00 GMT+2) 📅 Calendar file (.ics) MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix - Race November 1, 2026 at 09:00 GMT+2 – November 1, 2026 at 10:00 GMT+2
• Raúl Fernández withdrawn from Sepang: Trackhouse Racing's Raúl Fernández was declared unfit on 30 October 2026 due to a persistent finger injury and has withdrawn from the Malaysian Grand Prix, leaving Ai Ogura as the team's sole representative.
• Replacement riders confirmed for Malaysian GP: Iker Lecuona is replacing the injured Fermín Aldeguer at Gresini Racing, while Augusto Fernández has stepped in to replace Toprak Razgatlıoğlu for the Sepang weekend.
• 2027 MotoGP grid fully finalized: The 2027 rider lineup is now complete following the late October confirmation of Diogo Moreira to factory Honda and David Alonso to LCR Honda, marking a total of five rookies joining the premier class for the new 850cc era.

Following the Australian Grand Prix on 25 October 2026, the MotoGP lineup saw immediate changes as Jorge Martín and Raúl Fernández were both declared unfit to race due to injuries sustained during the Sprint. Additionally, Honda confirmed that Joan Mir will return to competition for the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix after a four-race absence. The 2027 grid remains finalized with 17 of 22 riders set to switch teams, including the recently confirmed promotion of Diogo Moreira to the factory Honda squad.

• Jorge Martín and Raúl Fernández declared unfit: On 25 October 2026, Jorge Martín (fractured radius) and Raúl Fernández (fractured finger) were withdrawn from the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island following crashes in the Saturday Sprint.
• Joan Mir confirmed for Malaysian GP return: Honda HRC Castrol announced on 25 October 2026 that 2020 World Champion Joan Mir will return to the bike for the Malaysian Grand Prix (30 October – 1 November) after missing the last four rounds due to injury. 📅 Calendar file (.ics) Joan Mir returns at Malaysian Grand Prix October 30, 2026 – November 1, 2026
• Australian GP grid reduced to 18 riders: The starting grid for the Australian Grand Prix on 25 October 2026 was reduced to 18 motorcycles following the late withdrawals of Jorge Martín, Raúl Fernández, and Luca Marini.

The 2027 MotoGP rider lineup was officially finalized on 20 October 2026, confirming a massive reshuffle where 17 of the 22 riders will change teams for the new 850cc era. Key moves include Francesco Bagnaia joining Aprilia, Jorge Martin moving to Yamaha, and Pedro Acosta stepping up to the factory Ducati team. Additionally, Iker Lecuona was called up to replace the injured Fermín Aldeguer for the Australian Grand Prix, while riders held a secret meeting on 23 October 2026 to discuss safety concerns regarding the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix.

• 2027 MotoGP grid finalized: On 20 October 2026, the full 22-rider lineup for the 2027 season was confirmed, featuring five rookies (David Alonso, Daniel Holgado, Senna Agius, Izan Guevara, and Nicolò Bulega) and major factory moves for Bagnaia, Martin, and Acosta.
• Iker Lecuona replaces Fermín Aldeguer: Iker Lecuona was announced on 19 October 2026 as the replacement for the injured Fermín Aldeguer at Gresini Racing for the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.
• Secret rider meeting over Qatar GP safety: On 23 October 2026, MotoGP riders held a private meeting at Phillip Island to vote on whether the Qatar Grand Prix should proceed; 16 out of 20 riders reportedly voted to cancel the event due to regional tensions.
• MotoGP showcase at F1 United States GP: A high-speed demonstration featuring Dani Pedrosa, Nicolò Bulega, Andrea Dovizioso, and Lorenzo Savadori was held on 24 October 2026 at the Circuit of the Americas during the Formula 1 weekend. 📅 Calendar file (.ics) MotoGP Showcase at COTA October 24, 2026 at 19:40 GMT+3 – October 24, 2026 at 20:00 GMT+3

MotoGP officially announced a major overhaul of the weekend format for the 2027 season on 07 October 2026, which includes the introduction of a dedicated 'Sprint Qualifying' and the total removal of wildcard entries. In the 2026 championship, Marco Bezzecchi secured victory at the Indonesian Grand Prix on 11 October 2026, while Raul Fernandez claimed his first premier-class pole position during the event.

• Wildcard entries banned from 2027: On 07 October 2026, MotoGP organizers announced that wildcard entries will no longer be permitted in the premier class starting from the 2027 season as part of a technical and format regulation shift. (January 1, 2027) 📅 Calendar file (.ics) MotoGP Wildcard Ban Effective Date January 1, 2027
• New 2027 weekend format revealed: A new schedule for 2027 was confirmed on 07 October 2026, featuring a dedicated 'Sprint Qualifying' session on Fridays to set the grid for the Saturday Tissot Sprint, while the main Grand Prix grid will be determined by separate Saturday sessions. (January 1, 2027) 📅 Calendar file (.ics) Implementation of New MotoGP Weekend Format January 1, 2027
• Marco Bezzecchi wins Indonesian Grand Prix: Marco Bezzecchi won the Indonesian Grand Prix at the Mandalika International Street Circuit on 11 October 2026, leading an historic top-four sweep for Aprilia.
• Raul Fernandez achieves maiden pole position: Trackhouse Racing's Raul Fernandez secured his first-ever MotoGP pole position during qualifying for the Indonesian Grand Prix on 10 October 2026.
• Toprak Razgatlioglu returns from injury: Pramac Yamaha rider Toprak Razgatlioglu competed in the Indonesian GP weekend despite sustaining a dislocated right shoulder during a practice crash on 10 October 2026.