Aleix Espargaró recently hinted at the possibility of joining Honda, describing the team as an attractive option. The Repsol Honda Team continues to search for a replacement for the seat that Marc Márquez will leave open next year.
When asked about the high-level vacancy at Honda for the 2024 MotoGP season, Espargaró replied: ‘Honda is always a good option’.
While riders like Miguel Oliveira and Maverick Vinales have been strongly linked to succeed Márquez at Honda, Espargaró’s name has now entered a very specific group, with the rider drawing a parallel between Honda and the Barcelona football team by telling DAZN: ‘I always make the same comparison, Honda for me is Barcelona, the best team [in football] in the world and it’s the biggest’.
Acknowledging the challenges that Honda is currently facing, Espargaró added: ‘They are going through a tough time, that is undeniable, but Barça is also going through it and all the players want to go’.
Although Espargaró has a contract with Aprilia until 2024, he did not rule out the idea of moving to Honda. ‘It depends, everything has to be analyzed in this life. Why not? Like I said before, everyone would go to Barça’.
Teammate of Espargaró, Viñales, was previously rumored to be Marquez’s replacement. However, #12ales clarified: ‘What am I going to tell you? They didn’t call me. They didn’t call my agent. Neither one nor the other.’. The rider, who also has experience with Suzuki and factory Yamaha, emphasized his commitment to Aprilia, but also acknowledged the appeal of Honda, saying: ‘If you ask any rider, Honda is a team that everyone wants to go to. Maybe they are not at their best now, but five years ago any rider would go there with eyes closed’.
In conclusion, while the MotoGP paddock is full of speculations, riders like Espargaró and Viñales are holding their positions but apparently with an open spirit, and only time will reveal where they will be in the 2024 season.
