In a shocking turn of events Repsol and Honda have announced the end of their iconic 30-year MotoGP partnership.
The sponsorship deal between the Spanish oil company and the Japanese Marque which began in 1995, will conclude at the end of the 2024 MotoGP season.
The Repsol Honda Team has been synonymous with success in the premier class of motorcycle racing, winning an impressive 15 riders’ titles and 183 victories.
Legendary riders such as Mick Doohan, Alex Criville, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, and Marc Marquez have all donned the iconic Repsol colors during their championship-winning campaigns. However, the team’s fortunes have taken a turn for the worse in recent years.
Honda has struggled to maintain its competitiveness, with its last title coming in 2019 with Marc Marquez. The Japanese manufacturer currently sits fifth in the manufacturers’ standings, with no top-10 finishes and little chance of catching up to its rivals.
The announcement of the split comes at a particularly low point for the team, with Repsol-branded Hondas absent from the San Marino Grand Prix due to illness for riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini. The team’s current woes have led to speculation that the MotoGP partnership may have become more of a burden than a blessing.
In a statement, Repsol expressed its gratitude for HRC’s commitment and dedication over the years, stating that the company will continue to be linked to motor racing to develop products and services of the highest quality.
The statement read: “Repsol will not renew its current sponsorship contract with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) for the MotoGP World Championship, which ends on December 31 of this year.
“The Repsol Honda Team is the most successful team in the history of the championship, with ten team titles, 15 rider titles and 183 victories in the premier class of motorcycling.
“Repsol is grateful for HRC’s commitment and dedication during all these years in which we have worked together. The multi-energy company will continue to be linked to motor racing to continue developing products and services of the highest quality.”
Honda, on the other hand, wished Repsol all the best in their future business and sporting ventures.
A statement from the team read: “After 30 years of collaboration at the highest level of motorcycle racing, Honda Racing Corporation and Repsol will part ways at the conclusion of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship.
“Honda HRC and Repsol have enjoyed a partnership which has become synonymous with success at the highest level. Going beyond sponsorship, it has been a true collaboration between both companies, striving to continue as the reference in Grand Prix motorcycling.
“Debuting in 1995, the Repsol Honda Team achieved immediately success and won the Premier Class World Championship that same year.
“The following three decades have seen the collaboration between Honda HRC and Repsol claim 15 Premier Class World Championships, 10 Premier Class Team Championships, 183 Premier Class wins and 455 Premier Class podiums.
‘Honda HRC wishes Repsol all the best in their future business and sporting ventures.’
The end of the Repsol-Honda partnership marks the end of an era in MotoGP history. The iconic red and white livery has been a fixture on the grid for three decades, and its absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans and the paddock alike.
As the Japanese manufacturer looks to the future, the team will need to regroup and rebuild from the ground up. The RC213V has proven to be a challenging machine to ride, with riders oscillating between pragmatism and frustration.
The departure of Marc Marquez and the loss of Repsol’s backing will only add to the challenges facing the team. However, Honda remains committed to the sport and is determined to reclaim its position at the top of the MotoGP hierarchy.
The team will need to focus on developing a competitive machine and nurturing young talent to ensure its long-term success.
The end of the Repsol-Honda partnership also raises questions about the future of the Spanish company’s involvement in motorsport. It remains to be seen whether the company will seek to partner with another MotoGP team or shift its focus to other racing series.
