Honda Racing Corporation had registered Tetsuta nagashima as a wildcard for Team HRC in the MotoGP category during the 16th round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship, which took place on Sunday September 25, 2022 at the Mobility Resort Motegi in Japan.
HRC test rider since 2021 after a career which saw him alternately officiate in the Moto2 world championship and FIM CEV Moto2 European championship, Tetsuta nagashima shone during the 8 Suzuka 2022 Hours alongside team members Takumi Takahashi et Iker Lecuona, in particular by obtaining the best lap in the race. The reward therefore came in the form of this wild card during the Japanese Grand Prix, on a circuit and with a Honda RC213V that the 30-year-old Japanese knows well.
Facing the best drivers in the world, the number 45 did not miss his entry, concluding the only free practice session on Friday 1,336 seconds behind. Jack Miller, in 22nd position in the dry.
Tetsuta Nagashima : " It was a great feeling to make your MotoGP debut today at home in Motegi. But wow, you arrive here and you're alongside everyone and you see that the level is very high. Honestly, I was a little nervous because I always dreamed of riding MotoGP and today I made it happen. I didn't drive exactly the way I wanted, but Márquez gave me some advice that I'll try to use tomorrow. Let's continue to push and improve this weekend. »
22nd in FP2 in the rain, Tetsuta nagashima finally qualified 19th in the wet, half a second behind Johann zarco in Q1.
Tetsuta nagashima : " Today, It was my first day riding a MotoGP machine in the rain. I learned a lot, I had to understand the Michelin rain tire, how to use it and you can really see the level of the MotoGP riders in the wet. I had hoped to do more, but ultimately, given my experience and the fact that we are here to collect data, 19th place on the grid is not so bad. My goal is to finish the race to give the information to my engineers so we can continue developing the bike. I really enjoy MotoGP. »
Sunday Tetsuta nagashima unfortunately experienced a premature end to his MotoGP debut during his national race. While keeping pace with the MotoGP regulars, the Honda HRC test rider crashed at Turn 7 on lap ten, ending his race in 24th position. The pilot was not injured in his fall.
Tetsuta nagashima : “I'm disappointed that I couldn't finish the race here at the Japanese GP, so I want to apologize to Honda, HRC and the fans. It was an incredible experience to line up on the starting grid with the rest of the MotoGP peloton to make one of my dreams come true. Even without finishing the race, I was able to learn a lot about racing at the MotoGP level. I'm looking forward to my next test with HRC to put what we've learned into practice. Thank you to HRC for this opportunity. »
However, after these quite modest beginnings under the beautiful colors of HRC, Tetsuta nagashima benefits from a helping hand from destiny, since it will replace Takaaki Nakagami during the Thai Grand Prix, the LCR team driver still suffering from the after-effects of the accident caused by Marc Márquez in Aragon. Takaaki Nakagami indeed consulted a specialist in Japan, and after a scan on Tuesday morning, he was diagnosed with a torn tendon in his little finger. He will undergo further surgery on Friday and hopes to return for the Australian GP, pending further assessments.
Tetsuta Nagashima : “First of all, I wish Taka good luck and hope he can come back as soon as possible. I will try to do my best in his place for the LCR Honda IDEMITSU Team and I will try to enjoy the race.
I'm looking forward to this weekend's event. I really had fun at the Japanese GP, and I learned a lot. So, this weekend I want to continue doing the same, because I still have to learn a lot of things with the MotoGP. »
