Fabio Quartararo Parts Ways with Personal Sponsor Due to Honda Deal

Red Bull is set to return as a sponsor for Honda in MotoGP in 2027, just as the Tokyo-based team prepares to welcome Monster-backed Fabio Quartararo.

Honda and Red Bull have reached an agreement for the energy drink brand to rejoin as a sponsor of the Japanese manufacturer's official MotoGP team starting next year. This move will necessitate Fabio Quartararo ending his long-standing partnership with Monster.

The pre-season market has seen significant shifts, not only concerning riders but also in the sponsorship landscape, with some moves being anticipated and others proving quite surprising.

While Monster is yet to decide whether to reduce its presence at Yamaha or completely disappear from the factory M1 fairings, another, more unexpected deal will take effect next season. Red Bull will return as a sponsor for Honda's factory team in the premier class, as reported by GPOne.

The energy drink brand's return to Honda is expected to have a particularly striking consequence. Quartararo, who is slated to become the Japanese manufacturer's lead rider from that point on, will be compelled to part ways with Monster – Red Bull's direct competitor, with whom he has maintained a close relationship since his MotoGP debut in 2019. From January, the Frenchman will join Red Bull's roster of athletes.

According to motorsport.com, Honda reportedly had to cover the penalty clause in Quartararo's contract with Monster, which extended beyond 2026. Quartararo is expected to sport the red-and-blue bull logo for the first time on his new prototype during the Valencia test on the Tuesday following the conclusion of the 2026 championship.

Red Bull's return to Honda will mark the end of a four-year hiatus, after the beverage company decided to cease its advertising with HRC, citing a clause in its agreement with the Japanese manufacturer that allowed the energy drink brand to terminate the partnership if Marc Marquez left Honda.

At the end of 2023, the multiple world champion reached an agreement with Honda to forgo the final year (2024) of his four-year contract and joined Gresini Ducati – a first step on a journey that would lead him to win the MotoGP title with Ducati in 2025.