MotoGP Team Unveils Major Sponsor Shift for 2026 Season
The LCR Honda team has revealed a significant change in its title sponsor for the 2026 season, marking a departure from a long-standing partnership. Since Takaaki Nakagami joined the LCR MotoGP team in 2018, the second bike in the garage has been supported by the Asian oil giant Idemitsu.
The relationship between Idemitsu and LCR was closely tied to the regional origin of the rider. With Nakagami's retirement at the end of the 2024 season, the team sought an Asian rider to maintain the sponsorship. Ai Ogura was initially considered, but he opted for Aprilia, leading to the promotion of Somkiat Chantra. However, Honda's decision in 2025 to move Chantra to WorldSBK and replace him with Diogo Moreira created a shift in sponsorship.
Moreira's Brazilian nationality didn't align with Idemitsu's preferences, leading to the oil company's departure. Pro Honda, Honda's lubricants subsidiary, has been a prominent feature on the factory test team's bike since 2024 and will now become the title sponsor for Moreira's side of the LCR team from 2026.
The LCR team's announcement on social media highlights this change, stating, 'The Honda LCR team is proud to announce a new partnership with Pro Honda, joining the team from the 2026 season as the title sponsor of Diogo Moreira's project.' As a result, the team will compete under the new name Pro Honda LCR.
Johann Zarco's side of the LCR team will continue its long-standing partnership with Castrol, maintaining the status quo. Both halves of the LCR team will unveil their new liveries on February 1st, 2026, marking a significant transition in the team's sponsorship landscape.
