Let's talk MotoGP: Honda must find another rider, and quickly

The drivers have not been idle during this 2023 season. During the winter, “Parlons MotoGP” will look at each of the participants in this exercise, and take stock. Did they succeed? Did they fail? Could we have expected more? It’s time for analysis. Of course, you are invited to give your opinion in comments, because it matters a lot.

Let's start in a slightly unusual way. Given that we are going to move up the rankings to reach Pecco Bagnaia at the beginning of January, let's deal today with the wild cards and other replacements, those who did not have the chance to find a starting position but who had everything likewise of capital importance.

Given the staggering number of injuries, many pilots were requisitioned: In total, 32 men took to the world circuits in the most prestigious category. I think that in order to deal with the entire season, it wouldn't be fair to forget about them. Even if it's only a few sentences each time, they all deserve their appearance in the photo as well as a little mention. Are you ready? Let's go !

 

In great difficulty

 

Exceptional article requires, we will start with Stefan Bradl, who is not last. The title of this episode speaks of him, because nothing has gone his way this season. He played three different roles, but never stood out. First, he replaced Joan Mir at Honda Repsol, the team for which he has worn leather regularly since Marc Márquez's injury in 2020. Then, we saw him, in Jerez, don the traditional colors of the winged brand , white, blue, and red. As a wild card, he was no more effective. Finally, we saw him take over as interim replacement for Álex Rins at LCR, who had been injured for almost the entire campaign.

 

 

Two negative points. First, it is no longer efficient. The 2 Moto2011 world champion knows the RC213V well, but has never done better than 13th in the Dutch Grand Prix. With eight points scored in six appearances, he is in 26th place in the general rankings. This is little. In addition to this fact, he was psychologically marked by the piloting of his machine, and has spoken out on the subject numerous times.

Honda should change for the good of the brand, but also its own. If his expertise is good, perhaps he should benefit from another role because clearly the team is not progressing any more with him than without. But as a – regular – substitute, the 34-year-old German no longer does the job. Especially if you have to fight with Dani Pedrosa on the leg.

 

Like a legend

 

Let's continue with Dani Pedrosa, wild-card rider at KTM. It shone, and was even one of my satisfactions of the season. With two top 4 finishes at Misano and very classy driving, he distinguished himself by achieving a better performance than official Brad Binder. Two appearances (on the coast of Rimini and in Jerez) were enough for him to score 32 points, synonymous with 21st place, better than Joan Mir! It's absolutely crazy. He ends 2023 as “alternate/wild-card champion.”

Unlike Bradl, his impact is tangible at KTM and he seems to be unanimous among his teammates. Bravo.

 

 

Not made for him

 

Iker Lecuona is having a hard time. Trouble acclimating to the RC213V, trouble with the environment MotoGP. Since his first stint in the premier category at KTM Tech3, the Spaniard has been more than anecdotal. It must be recognized that placing him at Repsol Honda as well as at LCR instead of the cripples was not a gift from the board, but he did his best. Like Bradl, he too highlighted the mental difficulty of piloting the RCV. Zero points in seven appearances is meager, and that places him in the penultimate position overall (30th), and penultimate among the ranked.

However, at 23, he is still young. He seems much more comfortable in Superbike, so why not give him his chance in this category.

 

 

We no longer expected it

 

Speaking of transparent drivers, let's talk about Lorenzo Savadori. The Aprilia wild card has done a very good job this season, after several complicated years in this role. In just five stints for the official team or replacing Miguel Oliveira at RNF, he has 12 units, which places him in 24th position overall. We can only salute his bravery ; his 11th place in the Netherlands was very good, and he didn't fall. At 30, he has made progress and that bodes well.

 

 

The hard tooth

 

Cal Crutchlow doesn't want to give up! After an honest end to the season in 2022 at Yamaha RNF, here he is again for an exceptional freelancing in Motegi. The tuning fork firm entered him under the name “Yamalube RS4GP Racing Team”, and he finished the race in 13th place. In total, three points, and 29th place in the ranking. We'll say what we want, but it's okay for the old guy.

 

 

The return of the hero

 

It was one of the best stories of 2023. The long-awaited return of Jonas Folger to MotoGP, six years after his last appearance in the premier category. Away from the circuits for a dark reason, he attempted a first comeback in Moto2 in 2019, completely unsuccessful. Then, we saw him in WSBK during the 2021 season on a BMW, but again, the mayonnaise did not take effect. When Pol Espargaró was injured in Portugal, Hervé Poncharal took out his phone and called on the German, largely deserving given his 2017 season with Yamaha Tech3.

While we expected nothing special, he did not disappoint in the six races in which he participated. Nine points, 25th position, a 12th place upon his return to the USA, and above all, a renewal with KTM for the future. Honestly, bravo to him.

 

 

Ducati's secret weapon no longer bites

 

There was a time, when we saw Michele Pirro on the grid on an official Ducati as a wild card, we knew that it could be veryL. For some time now, this has no longer been the case. The Italian is suffering a little, within the official team or under the title “Aruba.it racing”, the one used by the reds in Superbike. An 11th place in the USA does not save a difficult season marked by four other blank results, all for barely five points, and 27th position in the standings. At 37 years old, Ducati should think about changing while retaining Pirro for his expert quality in its ranks.

 

 

Extenuating circumstances

 

Álvaro Bautista, reigning two-time Superbike world champion, had his chance during the Malaysian Grand Prix, all on a Desmosedici GP23 delivered “Aruba.it Racing”. We found out later, but his 17th place finish had an explanation; the Spaniard was injured. Overall, it was hard to expect more. His last seasons in MotoGP were rather laborious, apart from this great performance during the 2018 Australian Grand Prix.

 

 

One Italian replaces another

 

Enea Bastianini's injury in Portugal benefited Danilo Petrucci, double GP winner on Ducati. To thank him and offer him a better start than on a Suzuki, the Borgo Panigale firm entered him at Le Mans, the circuit on which he had won in 2020. In the end, a fine 11th place confirmed his talent. Chapeau.

 

 

Not classified

 

If 32 riders touched the handlebars of a MotoGP in 2023, only 31 were classified. For what ? Because Takumi Takahashi, replacing Alex Rins at Misano, did not realize the time needed to qualify. An extremely rare occurrence in our time. A test driver for Honda for a long time, he did not have the opportunity to rub shoulders with the elite, although he finished 12th in the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix, already a wild card for the winged brand.

That's all for these drivers who are too often forgotten! See you tomorrow for the analysis of the season of the last holder, namely, Honda official Joan Mir!

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport