Honda and Suzuki will each enter a wildcard at the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi. For the two local manufacturers, it will be a form of thanks to their national test rider, Honda fielding HRC test rider Tetsuta Nagashima, Suzuki fielding Team Suzuki Ecstar test rider Takuya Tsuda.
Tetsuta nagashima was recently, alongside Takumi Takahashi et Iker Lecuona, the leading driver of Team HRC who won the 8 Suzuka 2022 Hours and has regularly participated in the development of the Honda RC213V in Japan since 2021. This is the first time that Honda has entered a wildcard in Japan, for its home race , since 2015. The driver entered was then Takumi Takahashi, who finished 12th in the race.
Tetsuta nagashima : " I'm going to race in the premier category of MotoGP, which is something I've dreamed of since my childhood. This is only a wildcard entry for one race, but I will do my best, and I will show my appreciation to HRC for giving me this opportunity with good results. At the Suzuka 8 Hours, everything went well from testing to race week and we won, so I'll continue that momentum for the Japanese Grand Prix. I think that thanks to the development tests I did as an HRC driver this year, my skills as a driver are improving, so I hope everyone will see how Tetsuta Nagashima drives now. I will do my best, so I hope everyone on the track, and the spectators watching on TV, will cheer me on. »
Takuya Tsuda has been an important part of the Suzuki team since joining as a test rider in 2015, using his experience to develop the GSX-RR alongside the Racing & Development department in Japan, and associating with Sylvain Guintoli for the trial days. He made his MotoGP debut in 2017 at Jerez replacing ÁLex Rins, injured, and he naturally has a great knowledge of the Motegi circuit and the GSX-RR. The 39-year-old has been on the podium several times at the legendary Suzuka 8 Hours, and has also enjoyed success in the All Japan Series, where he has driven since 2003.
Takuya Tsuda : “First of all, I want to thank Suzuki for giving me this opportunity. Over the years I have watched Suzuki riders perform in MotoGP races with the GSX-RR that I helped develop as a test rider. Now I'm very excited to get on board and be able to race the GSX-RR myself, and in front of the Japanese fans! I will do my best with the team to make this race the culmination of our development. »
