In a major shake-up for the MotoGP paddock, Trackhouse Aprilia team principal Davide Brivio is set to leave his role to join Honda's management team in 2027, marking a significant return to a factory squad for the highly respected Italian.

Brivio's move, first reported by Sky Italia and later confirmed by Motorsport, will see him serve as an internal consultant for HRC as part of Honda's ongoing restructuring. This isn't just any return—Brivio is a proven architect of championship-winning teams. He famously built the dominant Yamaha squad around Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, and later guided Suzuki to the 2020 MotoGP title with Joan Mir. After that triumph, he briefly ventured into Formula 1 with Alpine before returning to MotoGP with Trackhouse in 2024.

While Brivio's departure from Trackhouse hasn't been officially announced, his exit represents a significant loss for Aprilia's satellite squad, which has relied heavily on his leadership. Meanwhile, Honda is doubling down on its future. Current team manager Alberto Puig is expected to renew his contract, and the Japanese manufacturer has shifted its strategy to give Japanese executives a more prominent role. This new approach was evident in the direct handling of Fabio Quartararo's signing for 2027 and the surprising two-year extension of Johann Zarco's contract—making him the only HRC rider locked in through 2027.

Adding to the organizational changes, Hikaru Tsukamoto has departed Honda's racing department, having overseen motorcycle division development in recent years. He bid farewell to paddock personnel during the season-opening Thai Grand Prix. For Brivio, this move signals a fresh chapter in his storied career—one that could once again reshape the competitive landscape of MotoGP.