After the announcements of Ducati et KTM in the same sense, there was no doubt but now it is official: Honda will continue to enrich its illustrious history in Grand Prix matters thanks to the signing of an agreement with Dorna Sports SL for the next five years, from 2022 to 2026.
A journey that began in 1954 when Honda founder Soichiro Honda decided on Honda's participation in the Isle of Man TT, the biggest motorcycle race of the time. This story has so far seen 100 different riders win on Honda motorcycles and rack up over 800 victories across all categories. In the premier class alone, Honda has won 850 podiums and 25 World Drivers' Championships, more than any other brand in history.
The adventure will continue for at least five more years, as Honda has agreed with commercial rights holder and series promoter Dorna Sports SL to guarantee their place on the starting grid until 2026.
Noriaki Abe, General Manager of Motorcycle Operations, Honda Motor Co.
« First of all, I would like to express my respect and gratitude to Carmelo Ezpeleta and everyone at Dorna Sports for their hard work in organizing the races during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am very happy that we have renewed our contract to compete in MotoGP from 2022 to 2026. Honda has competed in the FIM Grand Prix World Championship since 1959, and won its 800th Grand Prix last year. Honda believes that MotoGP racing is essential to our motorsport activities. MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing because it allows us to develop various technologies and, through fierce competition, teach our engineers and develop their skills. With these engineers working on the development of production vehicles, Honda can create better products for its customers. Honda will continue to bring dreams and joy to its customers around the world through its motorsport activities, particularly MotoGP. »
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO, Dorna Sports SL
« This important announcement brings great pride to MotoGP as Honda is one of the first names that come to mind when we think of motorcycle racing. The Japanese manufacturer has played a very important role in the past, present and future of the FIM MotoGP World Championship, and this renewal further strengthens the commitment between the two parties. »
