Honda has dedicated its future to MotoGP
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Honda is the newest manufacturer to dedicate its future to MotoGP at least until the end of the 2026 season.
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has signed a new five-year contract with commercial rights holder and serial sponsor Dorna Sports SL
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Honda has been very successful in MotoGP and has secured 20 titles since returning to GP racing in 1982. Freddie Spencer (1983/1985), Wayne Gardner (1987) and Eddie Lawson (1989) became champions of the 80s with Honda.
Mick Doohan won five straight titles between 1994 and 1998 before Alex Criville rounded off the 90s with his only crown. Valentino Rossi won back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004 before the late Nicky Hayden brought the grand prize back to HRC in 2006.
It would be another five years before Honda reached the top of the racing pyramid again and Aussie Casey Stoner secured his second MotoGP title. Then came the era of Marc Marquez. Since 2013, the Spaniard has won six of the eight available titles.
“First of all, I would like to express my respect and gratitude to Carmelo Ezpeleta and all of Dorna Sports for their hard work organizing races during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Noriaki Abe, Honda Managing Director, Motorcycle Operations.
“I am delighted that we have extended our MotoGP contract from 2022 to 2026. Honda has participated in the FIM Grand Prix World Championship since 1959 and won the 800th Grand Prix last year. Honda believes MotoGP racing is vital to us in motorsport activities.
“MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. It allows us to develop different technologies and through fierce competition to teach our engineers and develop their skills. With these engineers working on the development of production vehicles, Honda can better products for its Develop customers. ” Honda will continue to bring dreams and joy to its customers around the world through its motorsport activities, including MotoGP. “
Honda will continue to use four RCV213 machines in the 2021 season. Pol Espargaro has joined the Repsol Honda team and will compete alongside Marquez if the injury allows. Marquez has not raced since the opening lap of the 2020 season in Jerez after breaking his right upper arm. Three operations and one infection kept Marquez off the grid.
In the meantime, Honda’s LCR satellite team will deploy Alex Marquez and Takaaki Nakagami. Alex Marquez replaces Cal Crutchlow after spending his rookie campaign on the Repsol Honda team.
“This important announcement makes MotoGP very proud as Honda is one of the first names that comes to mind when we think of motorcycle racing,” added Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna. “The Japanese manufacturer has been such an important part of the past, present and future of the FIM MotoGP World Championship and this renewal further strengthens the commitment between the two parties.”
Honda is the third manufacturer, alongside KTM and Ducati, to dedicate its future to MotoGP after 2021. LCR has also set its future as a team entry.