Honda is preparing for the upcoming MotoGP championship, aiming to register six bikes on the grid next season. This ambition depends on reaching an agreement with a second satellite team, according to reports.
From 2014 to 2019, the Japanese brand shifted from providing eight bikes to reducing its presence to just four. However, Honda is expected to return to a higher level, similar to that of 2018, when it competed with six vehicles: two in the factory team and two with LCR and Marc VDS, its customer teams.
Expanded strategic options
This expansion would allow Honda to have more strategic options, both in developing the bikes and managing the riders. In recent months, Honda executives have held talks with several potential partners, despite market conditions limiting their options for action.
Honda has explored collaborations with teams like Trackhouse and Gresini, but it seems that the American company has no intentions of breaking its ties with Aprilia. At the same time, the Faenza team, Gresini, is finalizing its renewal with Ducati, despite losing riders like Alex Márquez.
Rider management
Increasing its fleet of bikes would allow Honda to better manage its roster of riders. Currently, only Fabio Quartararo is secured for the upcoming season in the factory team, while Joan Mir and Luca Marini could be forced to leave their positions. Besides Quartararo, Honda has contracted Diogo Moreira and Johann Zarco, who belong to the LCR team.
HRC also intends to incorporate David Alonso, who will move up from Moto2, deciding later whether to place him with Quartararo in the factory team or develop him in a satellite team.
This project expansion will not only allow Honda to retain riders who are slightly disengaging from other teams but also opens the door to future contracts and collaboration possibilities.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
