Honda is looking for a successor to Marc Marquez – Miguel Oliveira confirms the request, but he is not thinking of switching – Johann Zarco brings himself into the conversation
After the “amicable” termination of Marc Marquez’s contract, Honda is looking for a replacement. Who will ride alongside Joan Mir in the factory team in 2024? Among others, Honda has also inquired with Miguel Oliveira. The Portuguese has a two-year contract with Aprilia and is currently set in the satellite team RNF.
“I think we have seen some unprecedented things this season,” Oliveira says. “We’ve seen riders sent home despite having a contract. And we’ve seen riders breaking contracts and going elsewhere.”
The Portuguese is referring to Pol Espargaro’s situation at KTM and Marc Marquez’s move to Gresini-Ducati respectively. “So anything is possible,” Oliveira continues. And how does he see Honda’s interest in him?
“It’s true, of course, that it’s a pleasure to be considered by another manufacturer, as big as Honda to boot. Especially if it is for a place in a factory team. That’s what it is, though.”
“As I said, I don’t have a change in mind at the moment,” Oliveira holds. “There is nothing on the table. There was just an enquiry, but nothing concrete.” That was all the 28-year-old would say on the subject of Honda at the start of the Indonesia weekend.
Asked if he has an exit clause in his contract should another factory team come knocking, Oliveira was evasive: “It’s true that Aprilia has the right to offer me a place in their factory team for 2025 and 2026, but not for 2024. “
There were also rumours in the paddock that Honda had enquired about Maverick Vinales. “I haven’t heard anything at the moment,” the Spaniard waves it off. “But it’s always good to be open and listen to something. My focus is 100 per cent on Aprilia, though.”
“We have six races to go now and my goal is to show a very good performance.” Vinales has already stated this year that he has no interest in moving back to a Japanese brand at the moment after his Yamaha years.
Massimo Rivola: Contracts must be respected
And what does Aprilia say about Honda showing interest in their own riders? “I will move to Honda together with Maverick and Miguel,” Aprilia motorsport boss Massimo Rivola laughs to GPOne.com. The Italian means it in jest, of course.
“I can’t say much about that. I have the four riders I want under contract for 2024. There are no changes from my side. None of them have said anything to me. I want to keep them all. “
Furthermore, Rivola confirms that there is no exit clause in Oliveira’s contract: “No, there is not. He is a factory driver and has a contract directly with us.” That contracts are not honoured, as in the case of Marquez, annoys Rivola in principle.
“It sends a bad signal after the whole affair with Marquez. I would like to know how he and Honda came to an agreement. However, as far as Aprilia is concerned, the message is clear: we have signed contracts, so they should leave us alone. Contracts have to be honoured. “
Is Honda getting Johann Zarco from the LCR team?
An important person in the transfer poker of recent weeks is Johann Zarco. His departure from Pramac-Ducati cleared the way for Marquez to join Gresini in the first place. If Zarco had stayed with Pramac, Franco Morbidelli would have had a good chance at Gresini in the summer.
Zarco has signed a two-year contract with Honda. The contract is for the satellite team LCR. Given the current circumstances, wouldn’t Honda be better off transferring him to the factory team?
“I still have to wait a little bit to see what Honda wants to do in the future,” Zarco says. “So far they have not told me their position. Since I have a contract with Honda, it might make sense to take Marc’s place. “
“From Lucio’s [Cecchinello] point of view, it is normal that he wants me. He has been working perfectly with several sponsors for many years. Having me in his team is a good way for him to manage the collaboration with his sponsors.”
“My work in the LCR team would not be much different from the factory team. In my contract it says that I will get the factory bike and work on development. Of course, the place in the factory team as Marc’s successor would be prestigious.”
Is Zarco surprised that Honda is contacting other riders? “Difficult to say. It can make sense. On paper, Honda is missing a rider. That’s why it makes sense to talk to other riders, of course. Since I already have a Honda contract, it would make sense for me to take this prestigious place. “