Repsol Honda Team Manager Alberto Puig has confirmed that Honda won’t stand in the way of Marc Marquez making his Gresini Racing debut in the highly anticipated post-season Valencia Test.
👊 @marcmarquez93 locked onto the back of the two title combatants!
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 28, 2023
It got a little too close for comfort though! 😮#ThaiGP 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/wxus2nWjlZ
Speaking during MotoGP™ Free Practice 2 at the Thai GP to motogp.com pitlane reporter Jack Appleyard, Puig said: “Yes, normally yes. This is very important for all riders when they're changing teams so we understand.
“This is something that happens and the process must keep going the way it normally goes, so there will be no objection from Honda’s side.” This confirms we'll be watching Marc Marquez get to grips with a Ducati at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo on the 28th of November.
Puig also commented on the rumours surrounding who will be replacing the eight-time World Champion in the Repsol Honda ranks for 2024. Miguel Oliveira (CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP™ Team) ruled himself out of a switch on Thursday in Buriram, with Australian GP podium finisher Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) now seen as a leading candidate.
"It's not easy because there are not so many possibilities, clearly. Basically all the riders have a contract so… the possibilities are not so much,” said Puig. “We have some, of course, I won't say we don't have any. It's probably not the ideal situation for any team to not have the time to choose between many guys. But it is what it is and we will have to go ahead and survive somehow.
"We're not only talking to him,” continued Puig, referring to Di Giannantonio. “We're talking to other guys. As I said before, there are not many possibilities but we're having two or three discussions at the same time, and we'll see."
Puig – understandably – kept his cards close to his chest when asked about who the other options were for the Japanese giants. What we do know is that with just four rounds remaining in 2023, including the Thai GP, Honda will want to sort this predicament out as soon as possible. Time will tell about who partners Joan Mir in Repsol Honda colours next season.
Follow the entire 2023 Season LIVE & VOD with VideoPass!