Diogo Moreira is looking ahead to an ambitious new chapter in MotoGP, with the Brazilian preparing to join Honda’s factory team on a two-year contract after an impressive rookie campaign with LCR Honda.
The promotion marks a major step in Moreira’s career, giving him the opportunity to contribute directly to Honda’s efforts to return to the front of the premier class. Rather than simply aiming to establish himself among the top riders, the young Brazilian believes the manufacturer could be capable of fighting for the world championship.
Moreira said the excitement of what lies ahead was his biggest motivation as he prepares to take on the responsibilities of a factory rider.
“I want to fight for more,” he explained, while acknowledging that Honda’s true competitiveness will become clearer during pre-season testing in Malaysia.
The rider has been encouraged by the progress Honda has made with its new project, particularly after examining lap times from a test in Austria. Based on those performances, Moreira believes the manufacturer could have the potential to challenge for the title next season.
A key part of that ambition will be working alongside Fabio Quartararo, the former MotoGP world champion. Moreira sees the partnership as an opportunity to learn from an experienced rider who combines considerable talent with a strong work ethic.
He believes Quartararo’s experience, together with their combined efforts, could help Honda improve its competitiveness and take another step towards the front of the grid.
The upcoming regulation changes could also play an important role in reshaping the competitive order. With MotoGP set to introduce new technical rules and switch to Pirelli tyres in 2027, Moreira expects the opening races of the season to be particularly important.
Drawing comparisons with Moto2, he pointed out that tyre changes in the intermediate class have previously helped certain riders and teams gain an early advantage that carried through to the championship.
Moreira also expects the new technical regulations, including changes to engine performance and aerodynamics, to give riders more influence over how their bikes perform. He believes this could help place greater emphasis on riding ability, bringing MotoGP closer to the balance between machinery and rider skill that he has experienced in Moto2.
His journey to a factory seat has also reinforced his belief in the importance of developing through a satellite team. Moving directly from Moto2 to a manufacturer’s factory squad is a difficult transition, with only a limited number of riders, including Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez, having successfully made the jump.
Moreira credited LCR Honda for helping him adapt to MotoGP, highlighting the team's experience in developing young riders. He also expressed confidence in David Alonso, who is following a similar development pathway.
“LCR knows how to work with rookies, and everything went very well for me from the start,” he said.
That experience has given Moreira a strong foundation as he prepares for the greater expectations that come with representing a factory team. He recognises that the workload and pressure will increase, but is treating the remaining races of his current campaign as an opportunity to prepare physically and mentally for the next challenge.
For Moreira, maintaining the enjoyment of riding remains central to his approach. He believes that feeling comfortable and happy on the bike is essential to delivering strong performances.
With a factory seat secured, a world champion as his teammate and major technical changes on the horizon, Moreira has plenty to look forward to. Whether Honda can mount a genuine title challenge remains to be seen, but the Brazilian is already making it clear that his ambitions extend well beyond simply adapting to life in the factory garage.
