MotoGP Honda Team Loses Dani Pedrosa, But Gains Jorge Lorenzo

In the span of less than a week, Honda Racing Corporation has announced some major changes in its team lineup for MotoGP.

It was announced on Tuesday, 5th June that Spanish racer Dani Pedrosa will be leaving Honda after 13 seasons. This will mark the end of an era for Pedrosa, who had spent 18 years together with HRC, across three classes in the MotoGP World Championship.

(Image taken from Red Bull)

 

HRC and Dani Pedrosa’s long standing partnership was reportedly broken by a mutual agreement. This may be puzzling to some, as Pedrosa and HRC’s relationship was extremely successful; since joining in 2006 Pedrosa had gained 112 podiums, earned 31 victories and was runner-up in the MotoGP Championship three times.
Furthermore, Pedrosa had given some very useful feedback on Honda’s machines, while the Japanese company had done their best to support him on the track with their bikes.

(Image taken from Motorcycle .com)

 

But according to the press release, Pedrosa is reportedly looking for a new challenge.

 

“I want to thank HRC for all these years of great success. I have grown not only as a rider but also as a person with them. I will always have HRC in my memories and in my heart. In life we all need new challenges and I feel it’s time for a change. Thanks, HRC,” the Spaniard said.

On the other hand, HRC has also expressed their gratitude and sorrow in letting Pedrosa go. President of HRC, Yoshishige Nomura, said: “Today is a sad day for me. On behalf of HRC, I want to thank Dani for all his hard and successful work, and to express our gratitude for these two decades together. We also wish him the very best of luck and success. Thanks, Dani.”

(Image taken from MotorSport)

 

Having parted ways with Pedrosa, it was then revealed that Honda would sign on current Ducati rider Jorge Lorenzo next year.

31-year-old Lorenzo had won MotoGP titles with Yamaha in 2010, 2012 and 2015, but has been struggling with the Ducati bike since joining last year.

In fact, the agreement to sign on with Honda had allegedly taken place several days ago, even prior to Lorenzo’s first Ducati win at the Mugello circuit.

His breakthrough Maiden win on a Ducati happened last weekend, yet shortly after the victory he had told the Spanish media that his “story with Ducati is over.”

 

“A part of me is sad because I know that with this bike I could have fought to be world champion, which is why I came here. Now it’s too late. There is nothing to be done,” Lorenzo said.

Prior to signing on with HRC, Lorenzo was rumored to be close to finalizing a deal to go back and ride a satellite Yamaha bike in 2019.

Now, he will join forces with four-time champion and current championship leader Marc Marquez after his contract with Ducati expires. This will make for a star-studded line-up in the works for Honda.