Will Marc Marquez be part of the 2021 season after having to withdraw from the start of the short but intense 2020 campaign? As such, the presentation of the Repsol Honda team is awaited with the greatest interest because it is said that if the eight-time World Champion were to remain in front of his TV again, it would be Andrea Dovizioso who would be called upon. To be seen, however, because if the Italian were to settle in the Spaniard's box, he would have to rub shoulders with a chief mechanic Santi Hernandez who would not welcome him with open arms, since he has just closed the door to him. door …
Santi Hernandez is the chief engineer that we will describe as “historic” of Marc Marquez. Orphaned by his champion in 2020 for reasons we know, he worked alongside Stefan bradl to obtain an overall honorable result given the circumstances. But to rediscover the exhilaration of victory, it would be necessary to work with another driver and, in the event of an extension of the package Marc Marquez, the name of Dovizioso is often cited as the first choice plan B. A prospect that does not excite Santi Hernandez.
And that's the least we can say since, in an interview with Motorsport.com, the chief engineer does not beat around the bush: “ I wouldn't find it normal for Honda to recruit Dovizioso to replace Marc “, he explains. “ Among other things because Stefan Bradl did an excellent job. I wouldn't understand if we then took this driver for three races ».
To make himself clear, he adds: “ it would be much more logical for this replacement to be Bradl, because he is the one who has the best feelings with the bike, he is the one who has understood certain things that happen in the race and which can only be understood during a Grand Price, because he has the speed and he is the test rider who tests things to improve the bike. Who better than him can replace Marc? ».
Santi Hernandez so close the door to Dovizioso. A clear-cut position on a sensitive subject where, a priori, he has no right to say anything. But after this intervention, if Dovi were to arrive despite everything, we wonder what the relationship will be between the pilot and his chief engineer...
Honda can wait for Marc Marquez with Bradl
Santi Hernandez don't stop there. He is also a fervent advocate of Stefan bradl : “ it wasn't easy for Stefan either ", said Hernandez. " We are talking about a pilot who was called up as a test pilot and suddenly becomes a regular pilot who also has to carry out all the scheduled tests. In this case we tried to help Bradl as much as possible so that he could show his maximum ».
« The goal was to place him in the top 10 in the final races. And we did it ", said the employee Honda. " In Portimao, he qualified directly for Q2. Eventually, Stefan increased the pace and speed, and the team is also responsible for that ».
« He surprised us all in a positive way " said Hernandez. “ He has adapted very well to the team. I was surprised by his honesty. Given the circumstances and his role as a test rider, it would have been easy to say that at times the problems were with the bike. But he was very honest about it. And there were many times when he thanked me when I tried to help him with the bike." remember Hernandez which ends: “ we really appreciate this honesty. He showed that he was an excellent test pilot and mastered a situation that was not so simple ».
