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Honda Appoints Marini To Replace Marquez In The MotoGP

November 27, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Automotive News

After 11 years together that have produced 59 wins and six world titles, Marquez confirmed in October that he will be departing Honda at the conclusion of the 2023 season to join Gresini Ducati.

When Honda insisted on giving Marquez a one-year contract in order to retain its options open until 2025, Miguel Oliveira was initially touted as the front-runner to replace Marquez. However, this didn’t work out.

Following Marquez’s defeat in the Gresini Ducati ride, Fabio Di Giannantonio emerged as the next contender.

Honda team manager Alberto Puig said during the Malaysian Grand Prix that the company was considering three candidates: Di Giannantonio, Marini, and Pol Espargaro.

While Marini was the clear favorite, Espargaro, who rode for Honda in 2021 and 2022, swiftly decided to stay with KTM as a test rider the following year.
Honda has made Marini an intriguing two-year offer to join its factory squad for 2024, joining Joan Mir the following season, notwithstanding its original approach.

With support from VR46, Marini made his MotoGP debut in 2021 with the Avintia team. In 2022, VR46 completely transitioned to the premier class with Marini and Marco Bezzecchi.

Before the Honda option surfaced, Marini, who finished on the podium in two Grand Prix in 2023, had already re-signed to stay with VR46 for a further season in 2024.

A Honda statement said, “Honda Racing Corporation is pleased to announce the signing of Luca Marini for the 2024 and 2025 MotoGP World Championship seasons.”

After placing second in the 2020 Moto2 World Championship and winning six races and fifteen podiums, the 26-year-old entered the elite class in 2021.

“Since entering the top division, Marini has placed second in two grand prix, claimed two pole positions, and finished fourth in four sprint races in 2023. He will sign a two-year contract to join Joan Mir on the factory team.

Tuesday’s post-season Valencia test, where Marc Marquez will also make his debut on a Ducati, will give Marini his first taste of the Honda.

Twenty years after Rossi’s final race for HRC, Marini’s signing with the factory Honda squad brings the Japanese manufacturer back into Rossi’s orbit.

Between 2001 and 2003, Rossi won three of his seven premier class titles with Honda. In 2004, he left to join Yamaha.

Given that Di Giannantonio hinted at taking Marini’s spot on the VR46 squad during the Valencia Grand Prix weekend, it is now widely anticipated that he will do so next season.

Before the Italian won his maiden grand prix at Losail, VR46 team director Uccio Salucci stated during the Qatar weekend that Di Giannantonio wasn’t really a viable choice for 2024.

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Honda Appoints Marini To Replace Marquez In The MotoGP

Honda Appoints Marini To Replace Marquez In The MotoGP

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