The bet is on who'll make the first move in the MotoGP market. Negotiations are on the horizon for 2027, with virtually all of the rider contracts expiring. The game could change a lot for next year, and the buying campaign is sure to be interesting. What do manufacturers do in this situation? We asked Livio Suppo, who certainly has a lot of experience in the field.
"First of all, you have to identify the rider you like," he started. "A mistake people often make is not focusing on one but to court three or four. That's very risky. It's like when you're courting a girl... if you're courting others, it's not good," he said, laughing. "I believe that this kind of courting, for some teams, has already started at the end of this year. There are riders who want to change, especially Quartararo and Acosta, so I imagine they're already ahead in talks with someone, they're looking around."
Will the market proceed quickly?
"The only thing that might delay it a bit is if someone wants to see the first 850 tests. They'll be difficult to analyze, though, because you'll have to rely on the times of the test riders. Honda and KTM will look very strong because they have Aleix and Pol Espargarò, as well as Pedrosa. Bulega definitely has less experience than the riders mentioned before. They'll be difficult to interpret. One will have to take a kind of leap of faith. Also, the tire supplier will change, and we've seen in recent years how some bikes have adapted better and others worse, only to a different construction. At least, to bet on a manufacturer by trusting it, like Moreira did with Honda."
Suppo: "Reducing the displacement to 850cc is another mistake"
Does the change in technical regulations seem spot on to you?
"In my opinion, they made yet another mistake. The choice to change the displacement at such a historical moment for motorcycle manufacturers isn't smart. If the goal was to reduce performance, there were a thousand ways to do it with the current engines, without having to design new ones from scratch. For example, it all they had to do was decrease the capacity of the tanks, perhaps gradually."
About the market, what do you think of those who claim that Marc Marquez would like to end his career with Honda?
"Right now, he doesn't even know. First of all, it'll depend on how he has recovered from this umpteenth injury. If he realizes that his body will be as good as it was this year that, without being one hundred percent, allowed him to dominate the World Championship, it may well be. So many things come into play. If I know Marc a little, the idea of going back to work with his old team would appeal to him a lot, because he's still fond of them. The longest phase of his career was with that them and that team, so let's say I wouldn't be surprised. It's too early to talk about it, though."
Suppo: "Bagnaia? He needs a communication course"
But he won't have that much time to think about it.
"Someone like him, he can wait as long as he wants."
Were you surprised by Bagnaia stating that he still wants to finish his career with Ducati?
"Pecco is a very strong rider, who should take a course in communication," he said, laughing. "So many times this year, he said things that have created a lot of theories, conspiracies. Sometimes, when he talks, he's a little too cryptic and gives people a chance to interpret his words in many ways. From a romantic point of view, it's clear that he'd like to stay because he's been in love since childhood with Ducati, then we'll have to see what happens. If someone were to go after him, offer him a great engagement, and he still struggles next year, why should he stay? There are so many variables."
Could the Japanese play a decisive role in the market?
"Because of their size, they can afford to pay riders a lot, like always. As fans, it's going to be fun and interesting. I hope there will be some changes because that always creates interest."