Honda Racing Corporation has confirmed that test rider Takaaki Nakagami will enter the Japanese Grand Prix at Mobility Resort Motegi (Round 16, October 2026) as a wildcard rider on a fifth RC213V. Nakagami will race the 1000cc version.
This could be the final wildcard entry in MotoGP history, as 2027 regulations will ban wildcard entries. Nakagami continues his role as HRC development rider alongside his testing duties after retiring as a full-time rider.
For the Japanese rider, this is a special occasion: racing in front of his home crowd on the bike he helped develop. The wildcard also represents an opportunity for Honda to have an additional technical reference on track.