MotoGP has seen a number of young riders in the premier class since its 2002 rebrand, including Marc Marquez, but only one star has stood out on the 18-year-old grid.
Marquez He made his MotoGP debut in the 2013 season with the factory Honda squad. Honda in 2010 In 2012, after winning, he brought the Spaniard into the Premier League Moto2 title, following the Japanese producer’s decision to retire as he sought to replace Casey Stoner.
Marquez, a native of Cervera, When he started for Honda in 2013, his 20th birthday was only 49 days away Qatar Grand Prix. The Luzille International Circuit has seen many of the youngest riders in MotoGP history make their debuts and it was also where Marquez got his first podium.
Marquez joined Yamaha icons Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi on the podium at the 2013 Qatar GP. The Honda hero started from P6 on the grid and finished 6.201 seconds off the lead, becoming one of the youngest riders in MotoGP history to score a podium finish.
Give us your MotoGP Mount Rushmore
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John Hopkins is the youngest rider of the MotoGP era since his debut at the age of 18.
Many riders have made their MotoGP debut at a younger age than Marquez did in 2013. However, in the year No rider made a better debut than John Hopkins, who crashed out on the opening grid of the 2002 season. Japanese Grand Prix Age 18 years and 320 days.
Read more: Each rider will be the winner of MotoGP’s Rookie of the Year award.
| Level | NAME | group | AGE | Competition |
| 6 | Mark Marquez | Honda | 20 years, 49 days | 2013 Qatar GP |
| 5 | Fabio Quatararo | Petronas SRT | 19 years, 324 days | 2019 Qatar GP |
| 4 | Fermin Aldeger | Gresini | 19 years, 335 days | 2025 Thailand GP |
| 3 | Pedro Acosta | Tech3 | 19 years, 290 days | 2024 Qatar GP |
| 2 | Michel Fabrizio | WCM | 19 years, 214 days | 2004 South African GP |
| 1 | John Hopkins | WCM | 18 years, 320 days | 2002 Japanese GP |
Hopkins began the MotoGP era with a record that has remained intact since the 500cc era following the championship’s new designation. No other rider had yet hit the grid before turning 19, which didn’t turn around until Hopkins started two Grands Prix for Red Bull Yamaha WCM.
WCM saw Hopkins finish P12 for the first time in the 2002 Japanese GP at Suzuka, despite being the last rider to run at the checkered flag. As Rossi took victory for the factory Honda team, the American finished the race with five laps to go – no other rider passed more than once.
Who is the youngest rider on the 2026 MotoGP grid?
Fermin Aldeger He became one of the youngest riders to debut in the MotoGP era in the 2025 season. After Ducati kept the Spaniard at Gresini on a two-year loan move. Aldeguer started in MotoGP just before his 20th birthday and finished P13 in Grand Prix of Thailand.
Murcia won the 2025 MotoGP Rookie of the Year award and remains the youngest rider on the grid in 2026.
