In recent days there have been several rumors about Aleix Espargaró possibly becoming a test rider for Honda in MotoGP starting in 2025. The rider announced the end of his career after this year, while the Japanese manufacturer is looking to strengthen itself to significantly improve performance.
Joan Mir, one of the current riders for Repsol Honda, believes that having a second test rider will be important: ‘If they want to do this, which seems to be true, it is very good for the project. Because having fresh air from the outside and being able… we had Stefan [Bradl] for many years and I appreciate his work, he did well. But many teams have two test riders, so probably having another one to complement his work would be very useful‘.
On the other hand, the 2020 champion talked about the aspect of having a rider prepared to replace regular riders who may get injured: ‘Not only that: Honda riders are probably the ones who get injured the most – not this year, but in the past it was a bit like that. And this is also important. I think it will be interesting to have a new [test rider]’.
When asked if it is important for a new test rider to come from another manufacturer, Mir replied: ‘I think so. Also with a rider who may have the experience of developing a motorcycle, not just someone who has tried a fast motorcycle and that’s it, because he doesn’t know the process‘.
