As the curtain falls on Marc Márquez’s illustrious 11-year journey with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), the Japanese giant faces the challenge of ushering in a new era in the pinnacle of motorcycle racing. With European brands like Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia currently dominating MotoGP, Honda is poised to rebuild and reassert its dominance.
Last week, the announcement of the mutual decision to end the relationship between HRC and Márquez, originally set to continue until 2024, sent shockwaves through the racing community. Now, Honda’s task is to find a worthy successor to Márquez, who has been the brand’s golden boy, clinching six out of seven possible titles between 2013 and 2019.
Sources close to Motorsport.com suggest that HRC’s top pick to fill Márquez’s shoes is none other than Miguel Oliveira. Currently racing for RNF, Aprilia’s satellite team, Oliveira has been turning heads with his impressive performances. The Portuguese rider’s contract with Noale-based Aprilia runs for another year. However, a special clause might allow him to break free if a factory team, like Honda, presents an enticing offer. This is reminiscent of how Alex Rins parted ways with LCR to join Yamaha for the upcoming season.
At 28, Oliveira’s credentials are impressive. With five years of MotoGP experience under his belt, he boasts five victories in the premier class. Only a handful of current riders have more wins than him. Given Honda’s potential lucrative offer, Oliveira’s main concern would likely revolve around the technical aspects, especially considering the challenges faced by riders like Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo, Pol Espargaró, and Márquez himself with the demanding Honda machine.
From a commercial standpoint, Oliveira’s signing would be a strategic move. Repsol, Honda’s primary sponsor, has significant interests in Portugal, where Oliveira is nothing short of a national icon.
Oliveira’s journey in the world championships began in 2011 in the 125cc category. He transitioned to Moto3 from 2012 to 2015 and then to Moto2 from 2016 to 2018. His MotoGP debut came in 2019 with Tech3. Despite initial promises from KTM for a spot in their official team, he only joined them in 2021. To this day, Oliveira holds the record for the most wins on a KTM.
However, 2023 has been a challenging year for the Portuguese rider. Two significant accidents, one involving Márquez in Portimão and another with Fabio Quartararo in Jerez, have hampered his season. These incidents led him to miss two races, and he currently sits 13th in the championship standings.
As the MotoGP landscape continues to evolve, all eyes will be on Honda’s next moves and whether Oliveira will be the chosen one to lead the team into a new era.