It was a bolt from the blue that surprised the MotoGP paddock at the end of the first day of the Malaysian Grand Prix with this intervention from Alberto Puig who clearly no longer knows which way to turn to find Marc Marquez's replacement in 2024 Thus, after having denied contacts with Johann Zarco which his entourage nevertheless validated, the director of the Repsol team was once again struck by amnesia regarding Fermin Aldeguer who had claimed to have been approached by the staff of his compatriot . Suddenly, the game of musical chairs would require him to sing the name of Fabio Di Giannantonio as a refrain. But apparently a Spaniard is absolutely necessary and Alberto Puig surprised everyone by coming up with a name that was unexpected to say the least...
And this name is none other than Pol Espargaro who had nevertheless sworn upon returning to the bosom of KTM that we would no longer take him back to the game of seduction Honda. But since then, the Pierer Mobility group has guaranteed him the end of his career as a regular driver to become a tester and a replacement. Meanwhile, a Honda Repsol remains an orphan and therefore remains an opportunity to continue its journey...
Unbelievable but verified by Alberto puig who started by crucifying the rumor Aldeguer : " no, I don't know where it comes from. This is 100% false. Yesterday I spoke to Aldeguer's manager and asked him where it came from and he didn't know what to say ", said Puig interviewed by the Spanish channel. DAZN during practice for the Malaysian Grand Prix and taken over by motogp.com.
The Moto2 rider had however confirmed that preliminary discussions had taken place between him and the Japanese brand while a replacement for Marc Marquez in 2024 and actively sought after. The pilot's name 18 years old is one of the many names linked to the Japanese brand, alongside Fabio DiGiannantonio who will leave Gresini Racing at the end of the year. It seemed the Italian was the favorite to succeed Marc Marquez at Repsol Honda, but Puig has now put a more familiar face in the running…
Alberto Puig: “ the situation is serious, it is serious »
And it won't be either Iker Lecuona, also unceremoniously dismissed by Puig who will therefore not play the young card by asserting that he has “not never been an option ". The one who replaces Kidneys in this round at Sepang will appreciate... But then who? It is Pol Espargaro ... " Pol is also a real possibility " asserted Alberto Puig.
Information which was immediately reported to Hervé Poncharal, current boss on the field of the cadet of Espargaró under the GASGAS flag. The Frenchman reacted as follows: “ we saw a lot of drivers break their contracts or do things we've never seen before » he begins. “ From what I know, Pol visited the Pierer Mobility headquarters… He is very happy with what he was offered for the 2024 program but as I said, nothing is impossible ».
« But this is the first time I'm hearing this so I'm pretty sure Alberto talked to Pol. I'm not in Pol Espargaró's head. I think Pit Beirer is coming to Qatar next week and if Pol needs to do something he needs to go to Pit and see what's going on ».
There are only three races left in 2023, including the current Malaysian Grand Prix, and time is running out for Honda to recruit a driver for next season, which is of great concern to Puig: “ the situation is serious, it is serious. This is an extreme situation and we need a driver for Valencia ». Alberto Puig would he also play his head in this matter?
