Nakagami's Farewell Wildcard at Motegi Marks the End of an Era for Japanese MotoGP Fans
Takaaki Nakagami races a Honda wildcard at Motegi this weekend. With wildcards banned from 2027, it will likely be the last race of its kind.
F1 comes to Sepang this weekend, and MotoGP races at Mobility Resort Motegi for the Japanese Grand Prix on the same days, 2–4 October. The Motegi race has a special story for Japanese fans. Takaaki Nakagami, who retired from full-time MotoGP racing at the end of 2024, is back on a Honda as a wildcard. It is likely to be his last competitive race.
Why this wildcard is different
Nakagami is now an HRC development rider. Crash.net reports that he had two wildcard rides for Honda in 2025, and that this will be his first MotoGP race of 2026. "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to compete in the Grand Prix of Japan as a wildcard rider," he said when the entry was announced.
Crash.net also reports that wildcard entries will be banned from 2027, when the current 1,000cc era ends. Honda Racing says this is the last Japanese GP for the current 1,000cc bikes before the smaller engines arrive. That means Motegi 2026 could be the last time a Japanese factory rider races a wildcard at his home Grand Prix.
In a Honda Racing feature, Nakagami remembered visiting the paddock as a child: "The real riders are so cool." About his current development job, he said: "I want to help build an ideal bike that maximises the Honda engine's power."
Ogura carries Japan's title hopes
Ai Ogura goes to his home race in good form. The Trackhouse rider finished fourth in Austria on 20 September, behind Pedro Acosta, Jorge Martín and Marco Bezzecchi, according to Grande Prêmio. He is sixth in the championship with 222 points, according to Crash.net's standings.
That gives the home fans two riders to cheer for: Ogura with a chance at a top result, and Nakagami, with Honda treating the race as a send-off.
Honda's plans for fans
Honda Racing says the Motegi weekend will include:
- ZERO Pass: free three-day admission for fans aged 16 to 23, with seats, a paddock-tour lottery and shuttle bus access.
- LRT Smart Access: a new rail shuttle from Haga Town to the circuit.
- A pre-event on 30 September at Bellesalle Akihabara in Tokyo, with riders taking part.
The title fight
Martín leads the championship with 306 points after Austria, 12 ahead of Marc Márquez (294). Bezzecchi is third with 264. Seven rounds remain, including the Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang on 1 November.
Watching from Malaysia
Motegi is one hour ahead of Malaysia. MotoGP's Japanese GP and F1's Sepang race are on the same weekend, so Malaysian fans will have a lot of racing to choose between on Sunday, 4 October.
Key takeaways
- Nakagami races a Honda wildcard at Motegi on 2–4 October. It is likely to be his last competitive race.
- Crash.net reports that wildcards are banned from 2027, so this may be the last wildcard of its kind.
- Ogura finished fourth in Austria and is sixth in the championship with 222 points.
- Honda is offering free ZERO Pass entry to fans aged 16–23 at Motegi.
FAQ
When is the 2026 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix? 2–4 October 2026 at Mobility Resort Motegi, the same weekend as F1's race at Sepang.
Why is Nakagami's wildcard significant? It is likely to be his last competitive race, and wildcard entries are expected to be banned from 2027.
Who leads the MotoGP championship? Jorge Martín, with 306 points after Austria, 12 ahead of Marc Márquez.
Sources: Honda Racing, Crash.net, Grande Prêmio