HRC Three legendary letters forever engraved in marble as well as on the MotoGP trophy. Honda is the largest manufacturer having graced the world championship circuits since 1949. Even today, a Repsol Honda Team handlebar is considered the Holy Grail for any rider. The biggest ones officiated on the winged machines. So why not try to rank the ten most representative drivers of the firm ? Here is the third part of this episode.
The selection criteria have been explained in detail in the
first part.
You can find the second one by clicking on this sentence.
Let's continue our way through history, and continue with the sixth and fifth place in the top 10.
No. 6: “Fast” Freddie Spencer
(1961-)
The first 500cc Honda world champion, quite simply. The American's career is more than unusual: His repeated injuries prevented him from continuing his progress after 1985. We only had a sample of five years of career in the end, which makes him prevents it from appearing higher.
In 1982, he does not go far from the Grail finishing third in a strange championship. The following year was a good one. For the very first time in history, a Honda won the drivers' title. six victories in twelve races, which says better. After a convincing year 1984 despite injuries came the famous year 1985.
For the very last time in Grand Prix history, a rider would achieve the 500-250cc double in the same year. At the time, the machines were extremely complex to drive and managing to win in two of the most prestigious categories was no small feat. Everything from Honda, of course.
Ultimately, the seven years spent at HRC are legendary but leave a bitter taste. Bad injuries which explain sixth place in this ranking.
Spencer's NSR500 in 1984: One of the most beautiful machines of all time. Note the upside-down American flag, a rarity on racing machines. Photo: Rikita.
N ° 5: Valentino Rossi (1979-)
It's no secret: Rossi will stay Yamaha rider and ambassador until the end of his days. But before making the heyday of the tuning fork firm, he worked for four years at Honda. These seasons are absolutely mind-boggling and require closer observation.
In 2000, the rookie couldn't resist a honest Kenny Roberts Jr., a driver well established in the category and benefiting from high-performance equipment. From 2001, thunder fell on the world of Grands Prix. The domination that would follow
was very reminiscent of Mick Doohan and his statistically maddening seasons. The transition from 500cc two-strokes to 990cc four-strokes changed nothing.
Simply unstoppable. Accompanied by his chief mechanic Jeremy Burgess, he took three consecutive titles before taking on the Yamaha challenge. There are no more doubts in 2003 : Rossi is already one of the greatest of all time.
He is “only” fifth in this ranking because there can only be Honda drivers above. “The Doctor” is not one and does not have the longevity of the pilots constituting the top 4. However, there is no doubt that these four years take a toll.
This ends this section. See you soon for places 4 and 3.
Cover photo: Box Repsol.
