Let's Talk MotoGP: The situation at Honda Repsol is cataclysmic

This is probably the saddest story of recent years. From next year, the famous oil company Repsol will no longer sponsor the official Honda team as it has done since 1995 in Grand Prix/MotoGP. The end of an era, certainly. This abrupt decision announced in the most total indifference only makes the Japanese picture even more depressing.. An analysis is necessary.

 

Coup de grace

 

I will try to keep this article concise, and not let myself be overwhelmed by nostalgia. I could talk about Honda Repsol for hours, so much did this association mark my childhood. But let's stay cool, and not be afraid of harsh words. For me, Repsol's withdrawal is like a coup de grace, when the beast was already on the ground, out of breath.

Since the announcement – as discreet as she was  – I see many people saying that this is not the end for Honda, that there will be a revival helped by the new 2027 regulations. Besides, the brand has said that it will continue, it was predictable. All good stories have an end as team manager Alberto Puig reminded us.

 

 

Personally, I think it's very serious and it doesn't bode well. Firstly, let's not pretend that Repsol's role stopped at putting a sticker on the RCVs. Honda has never been as successful in Grand Prix as with Repsol, a firm that brought the Spanish accent to the stable, and more broadly, to the paddocks. The Spanish golden generation owes a lot to the oilman, whose crucial role did not stop at the premier class, moreover. Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez, to name but two, were already largely supported by Repsol and Honda before their accession to the highest level.

Second, a brand, whatever it is, will never say that it is stopping so as not to scare off investors. This is recurrent in the history of motorsports; ask the staff of Peugeot's endurance program in the early 2010s, they know a thing or two about itIf we know, it will probably be quite late, a bit like what Suzuki did in 2022.

So, obviously, when you combine this flight of sponsors – because there was already Red Bull before Repsol – with Honda's recent results, it doesn't bode well. I don't think they'll pull out anytime soon, because it's true that their financial power is unmatched on the grid. But that said, it is impossible to omit this unfortunate eventuality..

 

 

The firm's decline and growing lack of appeal corresponds exactly to the analysis that I had dedicated to Japanese manufacturers, which you can find by clicking here. The reasons for this lack of desire, ambition and therefore competitiveness are not unrelated to the country's current dynamics. However, there is an additional factor in the Honda case. And not the least.

 

Marc Marquez, the beginning and the end

 

Like many, I can't help but think that Marc Marquez's departure was symptomatic: a real blow to the neck from which Honda may never recover. Beyond the titles and victories, Marc Marquez embodied intensity and ambition. His departure has forced Honda to face its responsibilities, and it is clear that the project is stagnating; worse, it is driving away its historic partners. This is all very sad..

 

 

It is very difficult to determine a leader in the current team. In any case, it will be impossible to find a Marc Marquez, but at least, trying to be a little more inspired in recruitment seems essential to me.. Again, this is an example that illustrates that financial power has nothing to do with will and level of commitment, especially in an era where all motorcycles are so competitive.

We will have plenty of time to look back on Honda Repsol's past at the end of the season, because we will still celebrate this glorious history together. I'm curious to know what you think of this cataclysmic announcement., so tell me in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.

 

 

Cover photo: Honda Repsol