Jorge Lorenzo makes no secret of his concern for Toprak Razgatlioglu. The three-time MotoGP world champion, now part of Maverick Viñales' team, delivered a frank assessment of the Turk's first MotoGP season with Pramac Yamaha in 2026.
For Jorge LorenzoThe timing is cruel. Toprak Razgatlioglu finally arrives in MotoGP in 2026, after years of waiting and a two-year contract, signed with Yamaha to run at Pramac RacingBut according to Por Fuera, it comes at the “worst time” for the Iwata brand.
Razgatlioglu He wanted the factory. He accepted the satellite. He wanted his chance before the 2027 revolution (850 cc). He got it. But with a V4 in developmenttires Michelin The mountain is steep and has an ultra-complex aerodynamics to tame.
Jorge Lorenzo: “Poor Toprak…"
Lorenzo He didn't beat around the bush. Poor Toprak, who arrives at the worst possible time for Yamaha with Michelin tires, lots of electronics and aerodynamic wings that he doesn't understand. All of this contributed to making his adaptation even more difficult. »
Three-time Superbike World Champion, Soil comes from a very different universe: production-derived motorcycles, more flexible chassis, distinct tires, aggressive braking style.
« Toprak always rode production motorcycles. They weren't prototypes. They were much more flexible, with different tires. He braked, cornered, and exited tracks much more aggressively. And now he has to learn how to negotiate turns.. »
And 2026 will be a year of learning for him. New circuits. Leveling systems still permitted (banned in 2027). Ubiquitous electronics…
Facing him was another rookie: Diogo Moreira, Moto2 champion, competing at Honda LCR with the support of Honda.
Lorenzo makes no secret of his admiration for Duralavita : " Moreira is doing wellHe hasn't been in the lead yet, obviously, he's still a bit far back. But it's great because today, unlike my early days in MotoGP, aerodynamics wasn't a problem. »
« Moreira has incredible talentHe excels in Supermoto, on dirt tracks, and is at the same level as the best in these disciplines. »
And he utters a loaded phrase: If Honda is clearly superior to Yamaha, Moreira could even overtake Toprak »
The main concern remains the new V4 engine. Yamaha is abandoning its inline four-cylinder engine to prepare for the 850cc era of 2027. At Sepang, two engines reportedly broke down, according to alex rinsaffecting in particular fabio quartararo et Razgatlioglu.
The press has spoken of a crisis. Lorenzo nuance: " I think the situation has been dramatized more in the press with headlines about the crisis at Yamaha, etc.. That's normal. It's like a new project, a new engine we've never had before. »
« It is normal for problems to ariseThe project is still very new, so I didn't perceive them as worried. »
Calm internally. Turmoil externally. A year of strategic survival. For Toprak, 2026 is not a season of conquest. It's a season of technical survival and adaptation. If he progresses despite the ongoing V4 project, he will emerge stronger for 2027. If he struggles too much, the label "late transfer" could stick to him.
Lorenzo He knows: modern MotoGP is unforgiving. And sometimes, talent isn't enough... when the timing isn't perfect.
