MotoGP: Honda and Repsol extend their partnership for two more seasons

Spanish oil giant Repsol has confirmed a two-year extension on its title sponsorship deal with the Honda MotoGP team. 

The collaboration is arguably one of the most recognized and iconic partnerships in motorsport, and will now continue into the 2021 and 2022 campaigns.

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Today’s confirmation of the new deal ends rumours of a potential split. It had been suggested that HRC and Red Bull were looking at a potential deal which would have seen the energy drink company take over as title sponsors of the factory team. 

“It is always a great feeling to extend our partnership with Repsol, this time for a further two years,” HRC President Yoshishige Nomura said. “Together we have achieved incredible success and formed a partnership which is unique in motorsport.

“Working as one we have, and will continue, to overcome all obstacles and hardships which are presented to us. 2020 has been a difficult year for the world, but together with Repsol we have continued to work towards our goals. We are now looking forward to continuing this journey together and writing many more pages in the history of Grand Prix racing.”

The orange, red and white (as well as black at one stage) of Repsol has covered the factory Honda bikes since 1995. During that time the Repsol Honda team has secured 15 riders’ titles which some of the sport’s biggest names – Mick Doohan (4), Alex Criville (1), Valentino Rossi (2), Nick Hayden (1), Casey Stoner (1) and Marc Marquez (6). 

The Repsol-Honda collaboration has also led to 10 Team Championships since the award was created in 2002. The partnership has a recorded a total of 180 wins and 447 podiums in 500cc and MotoGP.

The 2020 season hasn’t been as memorable as past years for the partnership, with reigning champion Marc Marquez ruled out through injury after breaking his arm at round one in Jerez. 

Alex Marquez, Marc’s younger brother and a Moto3 and Moto2 champion, has scored the team’s only podiums in the last two races. He ended the wet French Grand Prix in third, before crossing the line in second at the Aragon GP last weekend. 

The 2021 Repsol Honda team consists of Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro, with Alex Marquez moving to the LCR Honda team.