This morning, a shower of press releases fell on the little world of Grands Prix to inform us of various contract extensions.
MotoGP:
Repsol and Honda HRC renew their agreement until 2022. After 26 years of collaboration, the oil company and the winged brand will continue to work together in the MotoGP world championship. “The renewal of the agreement with a partner as relevant for Repsol as Honda in MotoGP is proof of the strength of our alliance, even more so in the current international context caused by the coronavirus pandemic”, says Begoña Elices, General Director of External Relations and Office of the President of Repsol. “Together we have achieved incredible success and form a unique partnership in motorsport. » While the Spanish energy company's presence in the competition dates back to 1969, Repsol and Honda signed their first technological and sporting collaboration agreement in 1995 and the first joy came when Mick Doohan won the opening race of the season at Eastern Creek, Australia. From, the Repsol Honda team has achieved 180 victories and 15 riders' world championships in the highest category of world motorcycling, establishing itself as a sporting and technological benchmark.
More than half of the premier class world titles won since 1995 have been in the team's showcases. But in addition, the Repsol – Honda collaboration has resulted in ten team championships since the creation of the ranking in 2002. She also achieved a record 447 podiums in 500cc and MotoGP thanks to drivers like Mick Doohan, Álex Crivillé, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, Marc Márquez and, most recently, Álex Márquez in the last two races, the French and Aragón Grands Prix.
Moto2:
Jake dixon will continue for the second consecutive year with the Malaysian Petronas Sprinta Racing Moto2 team.
PETRONAS Sprinta Racing are very pleased to announce that Jake Dixon will remain with the Malaysian team for the 2021 season, confirming that the strong Moto2 team line-up, alongside Xavi Virgo, will remain unchanged next year.
Dixon immediately impressed with how quickly he adapted and progressed on the Kalex since joining the team at the start of this season. After securing his first Moto10 top 2 at the Styrian GP, the Briton is on an upward trajectory with recent highlights including leading the French Grand Prix and claiming his best qualifying and race result (fourth) at the weekend last in Aragón.
Johan Stigefelt: “ The progress Jake has made since the first race this year until now has been incredible and has exceeded all expectations. When we saw his strong performance curve, we decided we couldn't let him go after just one year. Jake will only continue to get stronger in the second year, with the same team and the same team around him. It's good for the team and it's good for the championship. I'm happy that we can continue with a very strong team in Moto2 with Jake and Xavi [Virgin]. We still have a few races to do this year, so let’s keep progressing and get ready for 2021.”
Jake Dixon: “ I am very happy to continue with PETRONAS Sprinta Racing for another year. It made sense for both sides to continue, as it was only my first season with the Kalex team and chassis this year, and we are only getting stronger together. We are already achieving great things and I think we can seriously consider being able to challenge for the title in 2021. I am really happy and I just want to say a big thank you to everyone at PETRONAS Sprinta Racing and all our partners for the confidence they have in me and to achieve it, and I hope to make them proud! »
Moto3:
Gabriel Rodrigo extended for one year at Gresini.
After the confirmation of Jeremy Alcoba about a month ago, here is the news of the extension of Gabriel Rodrigo within the Gresini Moto3 team, an announcement that gives continuity to a project started in 2019.
With two pole positions and six other front row starts, Rodrigo has proven himself to be one of the fastest drivers in the category over the 2019-2020 period. In 2021, the Argentine rider will begin his seventh Moto3 season, the third under the Gresini banner, alongside his team boss Massimo Capanna.
His experience and speed will once again be at the service of Team Gresini, which will try to be among the protagonists of each race on Sunday, with the very clear objective of bringing back the title of the MotoGP quarter-liter category to the team based in Faenza.
Gabriel Rodrigo: “ I am super happy to announce that I will continue with Gresini Racing and with the same team for another year. I think it's a very successful team, which has helped me to flourish considerably. Even in a year as strange as this, we have made enormous progress. I look at 2020 as if it was our first year together, because in 2019 I was unlucky, so continuing for another season means I have to do my job as well as possible. I am really motivated and pumped up to finish this year 2020 in the best possible way and face 2021 with a new attitude. »
Fausto Gresini: “ I am very happy that Gabri will stay with us for another year. We are absolutely convinced that he has extremely high potential and we are determined to complete an important cycle with him in 2021. I think his speed is clear to everyone, but there is more to it than that: Professionalism and commitment, as well as key aspects that should not be overlooked and I am sure this will lead Gabri to the results he deserves. With a year of experience for Jeremy and Gabri in perfect form, it's a field I like and we can look to 2021 with big ambitions. »
