This week the first teams have unveiled their look for the 2026 season.
MotoGP is officially waking up from its winter break, and with launch season underway, the paddock is beginning to buzz again. Teams are lining up to unveil their 2026 liveries, introduce rider pairings, and set the tone for what lies ahead in a season that promises change, pressure, and plenty of storylines. This week saw the first major reveals, with Prima Pramac Yamaha, Pertamina Enduro VR46, and Aprilia Racing all pulling back the covers on their new looks and ambitions ahead of pre-season testing and the first race in Thailand at the end of February.
Team 1: Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP
Prima Pramac Yamaha enters 2026 at a pivotal moment, continuing its technical partnership with Yamaha. They launched their new livery near the iconic Piazza del Campo, while fielding one of the most talked-about rider line-ups on the grid. The team retains Jack Miller, whose experience remains a cornerstone of the project, and welcomes Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, making his highly anticipated MotoGP debut after dominating World Superbike.
Team Principal Paolo Campinoti framed the season as both a milestone and a challenge, saying the team is “fully focused on continuing the progress required by this ambitious partnership with Yamaha,” while emphasizing the importance of long-term growth. Yamaha Motor Racing’s Paolo Pavesio echoed that sentiment, noting that Razgatlıoğlu’s move represents “a significant and exciting step,” but one that will require time and adaptation.
From a rider perspective, Miller highlighted the value of continuity:
“Kicking off a new season with the same crew feels good. There’s a lot to be said for continuity in this paddock.”
Razgatlıoğlu, meanwhile, struck a measured tone, stressing development over instant results as he adapts to MotoGP machinery.
Team 2: Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team continues to build its identity in the premier class, unveiling a refreshed 2026 livery that leans into a darker, more aggressive aesthetic while remaining unmistakably VR46. Backed by Ducati machinery, the team keeps faith with a stable rider pairing: Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli.
Di Giannantonio remains one of the team’s most consistent performers, while Morbidelli brings experience, resilience, and a deep connection to the VR46 Academy. The team’s approach for 2026 appears rooted in continuity and consolidation, aiming to achieve regular top-six and podium challenges.
In his third year with the team, Di Giannantonio has crystal clear goals:
“I expect to do great races as we ended the year last year in 2025, I hope to grow a lot during the year and fight at the front.”
While the launch focused heavily on visual identity, the message was clear: VR46 is a serious, structured contender intent on climbing further up the grid.
Team 3: Aprilia Racing
Aprilia Racing unveiled the livery of the RS-GP26 in Milan, officially kicking off what it hopes will be another step forward after its most successful MotoGP season to date. The new livery retains Aprilia’s iconic colors but introduces a striking symbolic element: the lion, a nod to strength, heritage, and resilience deeply tied to the brand’s Italian roots.
CEO Massimo Rivola was clear in describing the the team’s intentions:
“We’re tackling the 2026 season well aware of what we are and where we want to be… the goal now is to battle in every race.”
On track, Aprilia boasts one of the most exciting rider pairings in MotoGP. Marco Bezzecchi, coming off the best season of his career, returns with momentum and confidence, while Jorge Martín begins a new chapter, with 89 sporting his front fairings again, after an injury-affected 2025. Martín himself described the season as a chance to “get back to battling for the top spots and winning,” once fully fit.
With continued technical development and a strengthened structure, Aprilia looks poised not just to challenge for podiums, but to establish itself as a title-contending force.
These early launches have already given 2026 a distinct personality. Prima Pramac Yamaha feels like a long-term bet with huge upside, especially if Razgatlıoğlu’s raw talent translates quickly to MotoGP. VR46’s quiet consistency might be its greatest strength. Di Giannantonio and Morbidelli are capable of springing surprises when conditions align. And Aprilia look seriously dangerous. A confident Bezzecchi paired with a motivated Martín could be one of the best combinations on the grid.
With testing just around the corner and more teams yet to reveal their colours, the countdown to lights-out has officially begun. And if these launches are any indication, 2026 is shaping up to be something special.
Featured Image Credit: Everything Trackside