As a new livery for the 2024 MotoGP season, Honda incorporates both its corporate colours and the famous orange hues of title sponsor Repsol. Riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini were also present at the launch where they revealed their new riding suits. After decades of Repsol domination, the Japanese manufacturer's branding is now prominently displayed on their grand prix prototype—a dramatic change from the previous three decades. The bottom fairing now features Repsol, replacing Red Bull, as expected, and the post-Marc Marquez era is marked by HRC blue dominating the team's colour scheme.
With the departure of six-time MotoGP champion Marquez, a rider crucial to Honda's modern MotoGP success, the 2024 season takes on added importance for the company. Marquez's replacement, Marini, was brought in from VR46, while the man responsible for spearheading Honda's comeback, 2022 champion Mir, was brought in last year to replace Pol Espargaro.
Joan Mir said: "It’s amazing to be part of a team with such history and success in MotoGP, I am as excited to start this season with the Repsol Honda Team as I was the last one. These team launches are always really nice, especially to see what everyone thinks of the new design. I think the colours for this year are really different and very bold, certainly something unique from the team. We have had a positive first taste of the bike and five productive days in Sepang, now we have to look ahead to the Qatar Test and the race. Last year taught me a lot and I am looking to put everything into practice for this year to help the Repsol Honda Team return to where I know they can be. Let’s enjoy this moment and quickly prepare for the season that is to come."
New Honda rider Luca Marini said: “For me it is an honour to join the Repsol Honda Team, when I was a young child I already had some leathers in their colours for racing minibikes. Now to be here, at the launch, in the leathers and with the bike – it is a dream come true, something from destiny. This bike looks really beautiful, the colours are something very new and I am proud to represent them. We are just at the start of our journey together, but I already feel a part of the team and well supported by the engineers. I’ve ridden just six days on the bike so we are looking to make the most of the last test and begin the year in the best way possible.”
MotoGP: 2024 Honda RC213V
To get back to the top of MotoGP, Honda completely rebuilt their RC213V motorcycle during the winter, changing everything from the frame to the engine. Mir, Marini, and Johann Zarco, who was just brought on board from Pramac, are among the riders who have given the new bike high marks so far, saying that it's a huge improvement over the old one.
During the recent pre-season testing in Sepang, Mir stood out as the top Honda rider, finishing 0.692 seconds behind Ducati's world champion Francesco Bagnaia for tenth place. With a deficit of 1.326 seconds, Marini, who is the younger brother of Valentino Rossi, took 19th place.
There is still a problem with the RC213V's rear grip, even with all the changes made for the 2024 season, which were lauded for the improved engine and time attack capabilities. Mir admits that Honda has a huge task ahead of it and will not be able to completely turn its luck around before the new season starts in Qatar.
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