Honda HRC aims to shake up WorldSBK in 2026 by recruiting two stars: Toprak Razgatlioglu, two-time WSBK champion (2021, 2024), and Andrea Iannone, former MotoGP rider and current rider of the Ducati Go Eleven satellite team. According to Motorpasion Moto and GPone.com, these negotiations, if successful, would mark a turning point for Honda, which has been dreaming of a WSBK title, which it has not won since 2007.
I wish the entire Honda Superbikes seems more determined than ever to return to the top. The Japanese brand is stepping up its efforts to attract top talent, and two names keep coming up: Toprak Razgatlioglu et Andrea Iannone.
Concerning Razgatlioglu, negotiations are said to be underway and a substantial offer has been made to the Turkish pilot. But Honda doesn't stop there. The firm also dreams of recruiting Andrea Iannone, the current satellite pilot Ducati whose contract expires at the end of the season. The idea would even be to associate the two men within the team Honda Superbike from 2026, which would constitute a real revolution in the discipline.
Since the British branch of Honda has taken over management of the structure in the Superbike World Championship, the ambition for a renewal is palpable. 2026 could be the year of this major change, with Toprak Razgatlioglu as the main hope, supported by the marked interest in Andrea IannoneThe Italian, aged 35 years and currently in his second season after his suspension, represents a solid plan B for Honda, or even a luxury teammate for Razgatlioglu if both operations are successful.
A future “Dream Team” in WSBK with Honda?
Iannone currently runs for the satellite team Ducati Go Eleven, with which he won a race last season at MotorLand and has a total of seven podiums. These performances attract the attention of Honda, especially since his contract is expiring.
It is important to remember thatAndrea Iannone was a top rider in MotoGP, even winning a race with Ducati, the first of the era Gigi Dall'Igna. After leaving the Borgo Panigale factory for Suzuki, he then drove for Aprilia before being suspended for doping for four years.
The interest of Honda for Razgatlioglu et Iannone clearly indicates that the manufacturer is not relying excessively on its current driver duo, the Spaniards Xavi Verge et Iker Lecuona, who could find themselves leaving at the end of the year if the desired arrivals materialize. In three and a half years, Virgin only got one podium, compared to two for lecuona.
The future will tell us if Honda will achieve its goals and form a real “Dream Team” in Superbike with Toprak Razgatlioglu et Andrea Iannone.
