Repsol began sponsoring Honda when they entered Grand Prix racing in 1995 and since then they have had immense success with multiple constructor titles and rider
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Spanish oil company Repsol will no longer sponsor the Honda MotoGP team from next season, the Japanese motorcycle maker said on Sunday, ending an iconic partnership that spanned three decades.
Repsol began sponsoring Honda when they entered Grand Prix racing in 1995 and since then they have enjoyed immense success with multiple constructors titles and riders championships, riding greats such as Mick Doohan, Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez.
With Repsol as the main sponsor, Honda achieved 15 premier class world championships, 10 premier class team championships, 183 premier class wins and 455 premier class podiums.
“After 30 years of collaboration at the highest level of motorcycle racing, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) and Repsol will part ways at the conclusion of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship,” Honda said in a statement.
“Honda HRC and Repsol have enjoyed a partnership that has become synonymous with success at the highest level.
“Beyond the sponsorship, it has been a true collaboration between both companies, striving to continue as a reference in Grand Prix motorcycling.”
Honda have struggled since Marquez won the last of his six MotoGP titles in 2019, with the Spaniard missing the entire 2020 season after an opening race crash.
The team soon fell behind Italian manufacturers Ducati and Aprilia, and Marquez also left the team at the end of the 2023 season when he switched to Gresini Racing – which uses Ducati machines.
Marquez's departure also sees Red Bull cut its ties with Honda, which has failed to produce a top-10 finish in MotoGP this season with either Joan Mir or Luca Marini.
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First Publication Date: Sep 10, 2024, 07:15 AM IST