MotoGP: Luca Marini Hails Honda as the 'Best in History'

After Marc Marquez departed Honda to join Gresini Ducati for the 2024 season, the factory Honda team signed Luca Marini, an experienced MotoGP rider and multiple podium finisher, to a two-year contract to replace the Spaniard. Marc Marquez will be riding for Gresini Ducati after an outstanding eleven seasons with Honda, during which he won six MotoGP World Championships and finished with an astounding 59 race victories. Unfortunately, this major change was necessitated by Marquez's recent challenges, which included a drop in the RC213V package's competitiveness and a string of injury problems.

Honda made Marini's Honda debut at the post-season Valencia test, the day after he announced his HRC pact. Although Marini was unable to publicly discuss Honda due to contractual restrictions, he nevertheless put up a respectable performance, coming up at number ten and just behind the leaders by 0.703 seconds.

Marini, who was planning to remain with VR46 Ducati for 2024, discussed his decision to join Honda in an interview that was arranged by the Japanese company.

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Luca Marini said: "It was a shock after Marc announced his change. So, me and my group, my manager, we tried to find a way to approach this new project and improve together and try to build a better bike, better performance, to come back and win races and win world titles. This is our goal, our target, so I am sure there will be very, very satisfying moments too."

When questioned about the motivations behind his decision to join Honda, Marini elaborated: “First of all, it’s the best in the history. Numbers and statistics speak for themselves, and it is a very particular moment now, but I think we have the power to come back very, very soon. I will try to give all my feedback, and my energy to this project and I’m sure that we will find the correct direction we will have the power to stay in the top for many years.”

Furthermore, the Italian rider commended the organizational culture at the Japanese manufacturer, describing it as "a dream" to be part of a factory environment.

MotoGP: Marini Describes the Valencia Test as "Amazing"

When queried about his initial impression of the 2024 Honda RC213V during the Valencia test, Marini said: "It was amazing, passing in a very fast way and the day was already finished! But sure, we will have a lot of time during winter, during the test, during the season to speak with all the members of this team because it’s full of people it’s just a dream work with all these people and also with Japanese. Well, I have a very good feeling I love the culture we can have a very good synergy."

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In the wake of his Valencia experience with the Honda RC213V, Marini appears optimistic. Joan Mir, who shared his enthusiasm, thought the performance was promising as well. Despite his optimism, Marini sets realistic targets of surpassing Honda racers before pursuing podiums and wins. The forthcoming February Sepang Shakedown is already on Luca Marini's radar. The fact that riders from both Honda and Yamaha participated in this event before the official Sepang test is noteworthy. Marini wants to see how fast Honda is, stressing the need to figure out their speed and get the balance right for success.