Takaaki Nakagami has been retained by LCR Honda for the 2021 MotoGP season and beyond as he stays in the stable for at least two more seasons.
Having joined LCR Honda in 2018, Nakagami will continue with the team for 2021 and beyond in a new deal announced on Thursday. It is a multi-year deal but doesn’t specify the years as on the bike side, all four riders will get the current factory spec.
Nakagami has so far ridden only with one-year old bike, finishing 20th in his debut MotoGP season, improving to 13th in the second. As for the current year, the Japanese rider sits seventh, with a consistent run so far on the 2019 Honda.
The re-signing of Nakagami completes Honda’s MotoGP line-up with Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro leading the factory charge, while the Japanese rider and Alex in LCR – the latter replacing veteran Cal Crutchlow, whose future is yet to be sorted.
“I’m very happy to be able to continue racing for LCR Honda IDEMITSU in 2021 and beyond,” said Nakagami. “I’m grateful to Honda for their generous support, allowing me to bring out my full potential this season. I will be doing my best to gain solid results for the remaining races, and build on that momentum next year.
“I’m aiming higher with Honda. I look forward to your continued support.” At the same time Honda’s Tetsuhiro Kuwata added: “I am very pleased that we can continue to battle with Takaaki Nakagami in the MotoGP class next season onwards. I am truly grateful to the fans and IDEMITSU who have supported his career to date.
“This season, Nakagami’s performance has been solid, finishing within the points in every race, and is currently fifth. His presence in the MotoGP class is on the rise, and we look forward to his performance in the remaining races. He will be joined by Alex Marquez from next year, and I hope the two teammates will be able to bring out the best in each other, and bring the team better results than ever before.”
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