Opinion: How the MotoGP grid will look in 2023

With only four riders out of the 24 riders on the grid signed on for the 2023 season and Suzuki leaving MotoGP there will be change. Here is how I believe the MotoGP grid could look in 2023.

Factory Teams:

Lenovo Ducati Team:

Francesco Bagnaia (Contract until end of 2024):

One of the four riders who has signed on with a team for the 2023 season is Francesco Bagnaia. The Italian has been with Ducati since the 2019 season and was a Championship favorite for 2022. After eight Grand Prix Bagnaia is fifth in the championship.

Bagnaia staying with the Lenovo Ducati Team seems completely logical. The Italian team and the Italian rider gelled well in 2021 so it makes sense for them to continue their relationship together.

Enea Bastianini:

Bastianini is third in the MotoGP championship and has three wins to his name in the 2022 season. The Italian rider has out performed current factory Ducati rider, Jack Miller.

Bastianini is challenging for the MotoGP 2022 championship while riding for the Gresini Racing MotoGP Team. The 24 year old is riding a 2021 specification Ducati and looks like a shoe in at the factory Ducati team for 2023.

Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP:

Fabio Quartararo (Contract until end of 2024):

The 2021 champion has won two races with Yamaha during the 2022 season. Even though there had been rumours around Quartararo leaving Yamaha he has decided to stay with the manufacturer.

Yamaha have made promises to Quartararo to improve the bike how he wants to. The Iwata manufacturer will need to heavily develop their engine to please Quartararo in the future.

Franco Morbidelli (Contract until end of 2023):

Franco Morbidelli is the second rider on this list who already has a contract for 2023. The Italian will stay with the Factory Yamaha next season.

However, his contract being until the end 2023 will put him out of swing with the rest of the field. His contract may end up messing up his choice of team in 2024.

Repsol Honda Team:

Marc Marquez (Contract until end of 2024):

The eight-time MotoGP World Champion is the third rider on this list who has a contract for 2023. Marquez will stay with Repsol Honda until the end of the 2024 season.

However, Marquez has since suffered double vision once again in 2022. The Spanish rider may struggle in the future if this injury keeps occurring. Marquez has undergone a fourth operation on his arm and shoulder so his future in MotoGP is once again in doubt.

Joan Mir:

The 2020 MotoGP Champion has been linked with a move away from Suzuki. And now it is confirmed that Mir will move to a new manufacturer after Suzuki announced their exit from MotoGP.

Mir would likely join Repsol Honda as the Spanish team would want another Spanish MotoGP champion in their team. Mir also has a riding style that allows him to brake hard which could suit the Honda.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing:

Brad Binder (Contract until end of 2024):

The fourth and final rider on this list who has a contract with his current team for 2023. The South African rider will race for KTM in the 2023 and 2024 season.

Binder had a rather consistent 2021 season and finished sixth in the Championship. 2022 has been rather similar as he sits sixth in the championship currently.

Jack Miller:

It looks like the Australian rider will be out of a ride at the factory Ducati squad for the 2023 season. Rumours have been spreading that Miller is in talks with the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Team for 2023. Miller could slot in at KTM as current factory KTM rider Oliveira looks like he has fallen out with the manufacturer.

Miller is a talented rider with MotoGP race wins to his name. Having two riders like Binder and Miller developing the RC16 the KTM bike could come a long way.

Aprilia Racing:

Aleix Espargaro (Contract until end of 2024):

Aleix Espargaro has had a strong 2022 for Aprilia and will stay with Aprilia for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. The Spaniard could have his seventh season at Aprilia in 2024.

After his first win with Aprilia in 2022 Espargaro will most likely further develop the RS-GP this season. The bike will definitely be championship contender in 2023 and onward if Aprilia keep developing like they are.

Maverick Vinales (Contract until end of 2024):

The Spanish rider is a talented rider but has not had a great season in 2022 on the Aprilia so far. However, the Italian manufacturer has shown faith in Vinales and has signed him on for the 2023 and 2024 season.

Vinales will need to adapt to the bike to stay competitive like his teammate. With a best result of seventh place in 2022 it shows there is promise for Vinales on the Aprilia.

Satellite Teams:

Pramac Racing:

Johann Zarco:

The two time Moto2 world champion has had a strong 2022 season so far with Pramac as he has stood on the podium three times. Zarco currently finds himself fourth in the championship standings after nine races.

The Frenchman looks set to continue with Pramac Ducati as he seems to have settled into the team nicely.

Jorge Martin:

The young Spaniard had been rumoured to be making the step up to the factory Ducati squad for 2023. However, Martin has been far too inconsistent this year in my opinion to deserve the ride.

Martin has had two podiums this season, but is only 12th in the world championship with 51 points to his name.

Gresini Racing MotoGP:

Miguel Oliveira:

The current Red Bull KTM Factory Racing rider looks set to leave KTM as a whole at the end of the 2022 season. After being offered a demotion down to Tech3 it seems like Oliveira’s relationship with the Austrian manufacturer has broken down.

Rumours have begun to pick up that Oliveira will ride for Gresini Ducati in 2023. These rumours intensified after Oliveira and his manager were spotted going to Gresini’s garage at the Catalan Grand Prix.

Fabio Di Giannantonio:

The 2022 MotoGP rookie had a rocky start to the season. However, at the recent French, Italian and Catalan Grands Prix Di Giannantonio has proven that he is talented on a MotoGP bike. At Mugello the Italian rider put his year old Ducati on pole, at Catalunya he qualified fifth and then at Le Mans and Mugello he scored his first MotoGP points.

Di Gi is showing potential and deserves a second year in the team to further develop before any quick decisions are made about his future as a MotoGP rider.

Mooney VR46 Racing Team:

Luca Marini:

Luca Marini is into his second year in the MotoGP class and is beginning to show class in the championship after a tough rookie season. So far in 2022 Marini has scored points in every race apart from two and has a best result of sixth at Mugello and Catalunya.

The young Italian is showing promise in his half brothers team and will almsot definitely continue with the team for 2023.

Marco Bezzecchi:

The current top rookie for the 2022 season is Bezzecchi. Even though he is new to the class the Italian rides with a level of maturity that most rookies do not have. So far in 2022 Bezzecchi is 17th in the championship with 30 points.

Even though there have been some mistakes from Bezzecchi this season I believe he would only improve after another season in the class next year.

LCR Honda:

Ai Ogura:

The young Japanese rider who races for Idemitsu Honda Team Asia in Moto2 has been very impressive this season. Ogura is second in the championship with a Moto2 win to his name. If Ogura continues to impress in the Moto2 class I believe he will slot into LCR Honda for 2023.

Ogura would be a perfect replacement for Nakagami as he carries all of the same sponsors and of course nationality. Honda should keep hold of the 21-year-old as he is a very talented rider.

Alex Rins:

I believe that Honda should try all they can to encourage Rins to move to LCR Honda for 2023. The Spanish rider is a talented competitor and is seventh in the 2022 MotoGP standings. Rins and Mir would make great additions to Honda’s future development.

Rins would also be a great backup rider for Repsol Honda in case Marquez has further complications with his arm injury.

Aprilia RNF MotoGP Team:

Pol Espargaro:

I believe we will see Espargaro lineup for Aprilia next season. This is because his relationships with Honda seem to be breaking down and his brothers influence will be able to get him into Aprilia. The Noale factory have said they will pick their satellite riders and I believe Aleix Espargaro will play a part in getting his brother to Aprilia with him.

The younger Espargaro is a talented rider but has had a horrid season, with one podium to his name. The Spaniard is currently 15th in the world standings after nine rounds.

Celestino Vietti:

I believe we could see the Moto2 championship leader in MotoGP next season with the Aprilia RNF MotoGP Team. Vietti has impressed in Moto2 so far this season taking three race wins in nine races. The Italian rider would have no place in the VR46 team, but the VR46 influence could help him get into Aprilia.

Vietti is also Italian and I imagine that Aprilia would want a young Italian rider in their ranks since the other three I have said for Aprilia are all Spaniards.

Tech3 KTM Factory Racing:

Remy Gardner:

I believe we will still see Gardner in the Tech3 KTM colours for the 2023 season. However, it has not been smooth sailing for Gardner in his rookie year with KTM. With eight points to his name after nine races, I believe KTM are slightly disappointed.

However, the Australian deserves a second year on the bike and also I do not believe many people will be trying to join Tech3 for next season.

Augusto Fernandez:

I believe that Raul Fernandez and KTM will part ways at the end of the 2022 season. This will leave a seat for the Moto2 Red Bull KTM Ajo Team rider, Augusto Fernandez. Fernandez is fourth in the Moto2 championship with one race win this season.

Fernandez will most likely slot into this team as a replacement as it appears Raul Fernandez and KTM have not been able to repair their relationship.

Some riders will lose their rides at the end of the season as it stands as their will be less bikes available for 2023. However, a new team may appear for 2023 and keep the grid at its 2022 capacity.

Images from MotoGP.com