LCR Honda has two riders in different conditions, as Johann Zarco is guaranteed until 2025, but the situation of Takaaki Nakagami, who has no contract beyond 2024, is different… or maybe not. Lucio Cechinello does not blame the Japanese for the less successful results, considering that it is not ‘his fault’, wishing first and foremost to solve the problems of lack of competitiveness of the bike.
The LCR Honda team boss addressed the situation of both riders, quoted by Motosan, and revealed that the structure is determined to continue with Honda for more years: ‘With the Frenchman we have a two-year contract, while with Nakagami we do not. At this moment we have a commitment with Honda for 2025 and we are discussing the renewal’.
Still, the Italian assured that the Japanese rider does not present competitive results but not through his own fault, and that replacing him is not a priority at this time: ‘Regarding Nakagami, it is premature to talk about replacements, as there are other priorities’.
He recalled the previous results in Jerez and also made a brief comment about Luca Marini, emphasizing that the goal is to work on the RC213V first: ‘Of course, the lack of results is not his fault. Let’s remember that he was fourth in 2020 right here in Jerez and now we are last. The same goes for Marini. Before thinking about changing the rider, we have to fix the bike’.
