If you've been following motorcycle Grand Prix racing for any length of time, Repsol is a name you'll likely be familiar with. The Spanish oil company has long sponsored the Honda factory team. before retiring at the end of 2024This partnership, born in 1995, has proven to be one of the most prolific in the history of motorsport, with titles won by the likes of Mick Doohan, Alex Crivillé, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, and finally, Marc Marquez. However, Repsol withdrew at the beginning of 2025, and Honda is now fully partnered with Castrol for lubricants. But Repsol is about to make its big comeback!
Unfortunately, the oil company will not sponsor a MotoGP team, as many fans would like. Repsol will become, from 2026, the sole fuel supplier for the Moto2 and Moto3 championship teams. As a reminder, only one company is authorized to supply the machines in these classes with oil and gasoline, while the market is free in MotoGP. Currently, it is the German company Liqui Moly who are in charge, but this will change soon as recently mentioned speedweek.
Photo: Michelin Motorsport
This is quite surprising, as Liqui Moly had a contract until the end of 2027. It should be noted that this brand is also one of the most important sponsors in Moto2 and Moto3: The IntactGP team, current leader of the Moto2 riders' championship with Manuel Gonzalez and well placed in Moto3 with David Munoz, is a benchmark team in the industry.Liqui Moly was also the title sponsor of the German GP this season. Repsol, apparently the stronger party, reportedly managed to terminate this contract before the end of the contract.
This early return of Repsol probably means that the Spanish do not want to miss the Liberty Media train.The company can take advantage of its glorious history in Grand Prix racing to return in this way, why not before sponsoring a team. This would be the logical next step, and would allow this petrochemical giant to return to the highest level at the best of times. Repsol has therefore not said its last word in MotoGP, and, frankly, that must please all the fans.
What memories do you have of the Repsol Honda association, and what do you think of this strategic maneuver? Tell us in the comments!
Photo: Box Repsol
Cover photo: Box Repsol
