Could Jorge Martin be on his way from Aprilia to title contention with Honda?

Aleix Espargaro, one of Honda's MotoGP Test and Development riders, '100% believes' that Honda will be in the title fight in 2027.

Honda has been securing solid results through the 2025 MotoGP World Championship and sits second in the Constructors' Championship. The Japanese manufacturer also claimed their first win since the 2023 Grand Prix of the Americas at the wet French Grand Prix.

For the 2026 MotoGP season, there will be a factory Honda seat available as Luca Marini's deal with the Japanese manufacturer expires at the end of 2025. Although there has been discussion surrounding Toprak Razgatlioglu, recent reports suggest a MotoGP World Champion could be targeting the available ride.

On Monday, bombshell reports were released that stated that Jorge Martin would leave Aprilia at the end of the 2025 season. It also suggested that his favoured destination would be with Honda in the Honda HRC Castrol squad.

Aleix Espargaro predicts title contention for Honda in 2027:

Espargaro orchestrated Martin's original move to Aprilia before he left for Honda, but he recently told Marca that he believes Honda will be back in title contention sooner rather than later.

"I believe it 100%," Espargaro told Marca about Honda fighting for the title in 2027.

"Honda is the greatest power in this sport. They have a very clear objective: to win races again, there are no half measures, the test team they have done is very strong, with a very high level and whatever it takes.

"It's just a matter of one thing: time. We need time, we need to build the project, but I think that from last year to this one they have taken a step forward and will continue to do so.

"I have no doubt that in the relatively short future Honda will win races again.

"I would like to say that before the regulation change, before 2027, there will already be podiums for Honda.

"If in this time they are able to organise all the material we have well and are able to find more power in the 2026 engine, I think that in 2026 it can be a year in which we fight for the top five in the world and I have no doubt that the 2027 bike will be a prototype to fight for the world championship."