After seven seasons, Takaaki Nakagami’s career in the MotoGP grid is coming to an end. The 2024 season will be his last before he transitions to a development rider role with HRC in Japan, as announced this afternoon.
The Japanese rider hinted that stepping away from racing was a personal decision, stating: ‘I have decided to retire from full-time MotoGP racing at the end of the 2024 season. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the fans who have supported me so much. I would also like to thank Idemitsu Kosan and Honda for their long-term support’.
Although he will no longer compete, Nakagami will stay involved in MotoGP as a development rider, strengthening Honda HRC’s test team in Japan. He spoke about his new role: ‘I will be involved in HRC’s racing bike development from 2025. I am very glad to be able to make use of my seven years of experience in MotoGP, which is very rewarding’.
Before he steps away, there is still the remainder of this season to complete, and Nakagami is particularly focused on the Japanese GP: ‘The Japanese GP in Motegi is coming up soon, in October. We have had a difficult season so far, but I will be energized from the cheers of the Japanese spectators to finish as high up the grid as possible’.