Honda HRC and BMW Motorrad have hit the table in the Worldsbk signing market. From 2026, both brands will have unpublished alignments and with direct experience in MotoGP, in a movement that promises to revolutionize the championship grill.
Honda bets on chantra and dixon
The Japanese manufacturer will put an end to the stage of Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge to entry to Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixon. With this change, Honda looks for a new course after four discreet seasons.
Chantra will make history by becoming the first Thai pilot to compete full time at Worldsbk. Asia Talent Cup champion in 2016 and with two victories in Moto2, the Asian pilot arrives after a complicated motorcycle season marked by the injuries.
Next to him will be Jake Dixon, who returns to the standard motorcycles after shining in Moto2 with multiple podiums and victories. The British, runner-up of the British Superbike in 2018, has experience in MotoGP and will be a key asset for the development of the CBR1000RR-R.
From HRC, Taichi Honda highlighted: “His talent, experience and spirit of competition will be valuable active to return Honda to the top of Worldsbk”.
Oliveira will lead the BMW project
BMW Motorrad will also face a radical change in 2026. With the departure of Toprak Razgatlioglu to MotoGP and the farewell of Michael van der Mark, the German firm will feature Miguel Oliveira as a companion of Danilo Petrucci in the Rokit BMW Motorrad Worldsbk Team.
The Portuguese, with five victories in MotoGP and a brilliant record in Moto2 and Moto3, will make the leap to the motorcycle championship derived as standard after a season in Pramac Yamaha marked by injuries. Oliveira and Petrucci already coincided in KTM in 2021, which will facilitate their adaptation.
BMW has received the Portuguese pilot enthusiastically. Sven Blusch, BMW Motorrad Motorsport manager, declared: “Miguel has proven to be one of the most talented and versatile pilots of his generation. Next to Petrucci he will form a strong and competitive duo”.
The main team, Shaun Muir, added: “His arrival is one of the most anticipated in recent years. We firmly believe that he has the character and ability to carry the BMW M 1000 RR to the top”.
