Honda has been a mainstay in the world championship since it made its full-time return to the premier class of Grand Prix racing in 1982 and won the title 20 times – most recently with Marc Marquez in 2019.
Honda is currently racing four motorcycles in MotoGP, with two factory RC213V teams supported by Repsol being joined by two riders at LCR – both of which will be supported by the factory in 2021.
MotoGP’s renewal of Honda comes as no surprise. Alongside Ducati and KTM, the Japanese brand is now the third factory to be involved in MotoGP after 2021.
“First, 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’s 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 that MotoGP racing is vital to our 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 through its motorsport activities, including MotoGP.”
“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 Sports.
“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 enters 2021 with a revamped factory line-up after Pol Espargaro signed a two-year deal with Marquez.
Marquez’s participation in the launch of the 2021 campaign – currently slated for March 28 in Qatar – remains in doubt as he continues to recover from a third right arm surgery he broke at the Spanish Grand Prix last year.
At LCR, Marquez ‘Moto2 title-winning brother Alex Takaaki will support Nakagami for the Spaniard’s second season in MotoGP on current machines.
Marquez’s younger brother proved to be Honda’s leading light in a difficult 2020 season, taking his only podium finishes with two second places in France and the first lap in Aragon.
The Repsol Honda team will officially kick off its 2021 season on February 22nd in a virtual presentation with Espargaro and Marc Marquez.
Alex Marquez’s LCR colors will be unveiled on February 19th. One day later, team-mate Nakagami’s kick-off event in 2021 will take place.
Although Yamaha, Suzuki and Aprilia have not yet confirmed their participation in MotoGP beyond this year, they are expected to sign new deals.
Of the independent teams, only LCR and Gresini – who will no longer be Aprilia’s factory entrants from 2022 – have confirmed that they will both remain in MotoGP.