These images of Luca Marini's welcome in the Repsol Honda box show it: with the extinction of the obligations which ran until the end of the year 2023, the comments and images hitherto kept confidential are put in the public square at the start of 2024. Here is what was said and how the arrival of the one who decided to leave a winning satellite Ducati for the Honda official costume which will be all the more heavy to carry that he was abandoned by Marc Marquez who took off… Toward a Ducati.
Since we are talking about Marc Marquez, here we will find his first impressions of the Ducati GP23, but let's stay focused on Luca Marini. His arrival in the team Repsol Honda Team was another of the most interesting and important events that took place during the Valencia trials last November, the first of the 2024 offseason of MotoGP.
We see him welcomed by Tetsuhiro Kuwata, the chief engineer of the Japanese division mobilized on technical development. “ welcome aboard », he said, shaking her hand in a good-natured way. “ We are very happy to welcome you here », declares the Japanese. The project manager of Honda, Yuzuru Ishikawa, was also present, as well as Félix, one of the mechanics who will serve Marini this season. And of course, we note the presence ofAlberto Puig, the team director, who could not miss this moment. “ He's as tall as Joan Mir, isn't he? », he comments to someone while posing next to Marini, who seems taller than him.
Welcome to the team, Luca Marini 🤝
A productive first day at the #ValenciaTest and now we get ready to do it again in Sepang. pic.twitter.com/sINYZmTSc4
- Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) January 1, 2024
« We hope the Honda reaches the top very soon » and Luca Marini replies: “ yes we will »
We see James Guidotti, who will be the chief engineer of Luca marini, While Santi Hernandez goes to the side of to Joan Mir en lieu and in place of Marc Marquez. The Italian tells his compatriot that the bike is probably not comparable in this state of development with the one he had, “but we hope she will reach the top very soon », in an obvious reference to the Ducati. What Marini don’t hesitate to answer “ yes we will ».
A few hours later, Marini rode on the RC213V. The Japanese then offered the half-brother of Valentino Rossi the opportunity to test the 2024 version, visibly longer and equipped with new aerodynamics, and it is with this prototype that the one who remains an academician of La VR46 achieved his best lap in 1'29.956 which placed him tenth overall. general classification, seven tenths behind Maverick Vinales. He was also the best pilot Honda ...
« It definitely lacks a little grip when exiting turns and entering », explained the pilot of 26 years by establishing the differences between the RC213V and the Desmosedici GP22 he drove last season. “ It lacks a little traction and acceleration, but I don't know the reasons. ”, also said Marini.
Finally, it will be recalled that Honda Racing Corporation, founded on September 1, 1982, will benefit this year from new concession points giving it greater room for maneuver in terms of development. So, like the compatriot Yamaha , the brand will be able to carry out tests with the official drivers, will have more tires available for testing and will be able to develop both the engine and the aerodynamics to recover the ground lost in recent years.
Palmares Honda of the only MotoGP category speaks of 10 world titles, the last six “signed” by Marc Marquez, who moved to Ducati Gresini. If we also count the 500 class, the titles reach the level of 21, given that in the 2-stroke class there are 11 titles, the last in 2001 signed by Valentino Rossi …the half-brother of Luca Marini.
