Red Bull Returns to Honda for 2027, Quartararo Forced

Red Bull will resume its role as sponsor of Honda's factory MotoGP team from the 2027 season. The energy drink giant's return ends an absence that began after the 2023 campaign. Honda and Red Bull have agreed to a sponsorship deal covering the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

Fabio Quartararo will be forced to end his long-standing association with Monster Energy due to this shift. He will join Red Bull's official roster of athletes from January 2027 onward. Honda has covered the compensation stipulated in Quartararo's existing contract with Monster, which extended beyond 2026. Quartararo has been chosen to become Honda's flagship rider from that point.

Quartararo to Become Honda's Flagship Rider

Quartararo's move to Red Bull marks a major shift in rider allegiance. His long-term partnership with Monster Energy must conclude because of Red Bull's exclusive sponsorship of the Honda factory team. The French rider will wear the Red Bull red-and-blue bull logo for the first time on his new prototype during a test in Valencia. That test is scheduled for the Tuesday following the end of the 2026 championship.

Red Bull Branding to Be More Prominent on Honda Bikes

Red Bull's logo will be considerably more prominent on Honda's RC213V bikes in 2027 than during its previous partnership. In the past, the logo appeared on the lower part of the fairing and on the front mudguard. The new arrangement will see more extensive branding when the partnership becomes visible again four years after it stopped.

Marquez and Acosta to Lead Ducati Factory Team in 2027

Despite Red Bull's high-profile return to Honda, two of its most famous associated riders will be elsewhere. Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta will form the factory Ducati team's rider line-up in 2027. Both have careers closely linked to Red Bull. Marquez achieved his first international successes riding for Red Bull KTM in the Spanish CEV and the 125cc World Championship. He chooses not to promote Monster on his helmet out of enduring loyalty to Red Bull. Ducati's own deal with Monster Energy expires at the end of the 2026 season.

Red Bull also collaborates with KTM in the Rally Raid World Championship, including the Paris-Dakar. Marc Marquez joined the Gresini team for the 2024 season after waiving his 2024 contract with Honda. Fabio Quartararo will wear the Red Bull logo on his Honda prototype for the first time at the Valencia test in late 2026.