In the list of drivers who are playing their career this season, Takaaki Nakagami holds a special place and firstly because his potential successor is already known. It's his compatriot Ai Ogura who could have already stolen his Honda handlebars this season, if the Honda wasn't so unwelcoming. Wisely, he refused the obstacle to stay one more year in Moto2, hoping for better days for HRC. A delay which gives Nakagami the final opportunity to prove himself. And he believes the guy...
Takaaki Nakagami will attack his sixth season in MotoGP this year, and it will be a new, like undoubtedly the last, attempt to finally achieve his first podium. Because he is the first to recognize him, another pilot is waiting to take his place: “ this year will be the most important for me because of the young talent ", said Nakagami à motogp.com which clearly designates the person concerned: “ Ogura has won numerous Moto2 races and podiums. If I want to stay in this team, I need good results. It's simple. I want to fight for the top six, the top five, but also the podium ».
Unfortunately for the teammateAlex Rins within the LCR team, the Honda has probably never been in such a bad period to claim such a ranking. But Nakagamior things differently: “ I think Honda can win the championship again » he surprises.
Takaaki Nakagami: “ to be honest, I didn't feel a big, big change during testing«
« Everyone believes in it and seeks to improve. Me, Marc Marquez, Joan Mir and Alex Rins, we are giving our all to fight for the championship. We can't go back and fight just for the top ten. Of course Marc and Honda work together and Marc can win the race and the championship again » specifies the Japanese.
On the latest personnel changes that he observed at Honda, he mentioned : " they had some pressure or tension, that's why they changed some people in the team. In recent years it has been quite a difficult situation for us. Honda is struggling but now new people have arrived ».
Sure, but Nakagami cannot deny the obvious either. Moreover, he ends his remarks with this observation: “ to be honest, I didn't feel a big, big change during testing. But it takes time. I understand that and, in just one day we cannot completely change the motorcycle and all systems. I let engineers work better ».
