Honda expects fierce but friendly fight between Pedrosa and Marquez

Honda is confident that the good relationship that exists between Dani Pedrosa and rookie Marc Marquez will not be soured by any potential battles on track in the 2013 MotoGP world championship.

The Spanish duo are both being hotly tipped to battle for the title in MotoGP this year, which will inevitably mean they will engage in some strong battles on track.

But Honda boss Livio Suppo believes any potential conflict will not spill over from the track into the pit box as the Spanish duo prepare to lead the Repsol Honda challenge in the second 1000cc world championship campaign.

Yamaha is again facing the tricky management challenge of keeping a cordial atmosphere between bitter rivals Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo in 2013.

But Suppo said he didn’t expect Pedrosa and Marquez to clash off the track this season and he told MCN: “In 2011 and 2012 we had Dani and Casey together and their relationship was good. At that level they know each other and they respect each other and Dani is used to have a very strong teammate with Casey.

And Marc understands very well how strong Dani is. So I don’t think for this season at least we will have any problems. Probably it will be more difficult next year but that’s human and they are intelligent and experienced enough to manage this.”

In a recent exclusive interview with MCN during his stunning test-topping performance at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, reigning Moto2 world champion Marquez said he hoped his relationship with Pedrosa would remain positive.

He said: “With Dani I have a very good relationship and with him I know he is the first guy in the team and I am the rookie. He needs to fight for the championship with Jorge and Valentino and I will try to learn. I can learn a lot of things from Dani because he has a lot of experience. The first opponent is your teammate but I think when you are a rookie rider and you have a teammate with a lot of experience you can learn a lot.”

For an exclusive interview with Pedrosa and a 16-page guide to the 2013 MotoGP campaign, see the April 3 issue of MCN.