MotoGP: Honda aims high after 3 years of disappointments

Yellow, white and orange are the dominant colors on the fairing of the RC213V, destined to race in MotoGP in 2023. Honda presented it today in Madrid, hoping they will be synonymous with victory, to put the three darkest years of its history behind it sportswoman in the speed world championship. After Marc Marquez’s accident at the beginning of 2020, the Japanese brand has collected just three grands prix in the premier class (in 2021), all with the eight-time world champion. Only he, sporadically, managed to take it to the top step, while Suzuki, Yamaha and Ducati won titles. After four surgeries on his right arm, painful rehabilitation and a return to the track with ups and downs, Marc Marquez welcomed his new racing car with a confident smile, even if the response could have been better in the Sepang tests. The other Spaniard Joan Mir completes the team, who after his experience in Suzuki – who retired from racing – hopes to repeat the glories of 2020, the year in which he became champion. “I think that if we work well in Portimao (where the official tests will be held on 11 and 12 March and the World Championship will start on 26, ed) we’ll be among the five favorites – said Marquez – I’m sure we’ll take a step forward in the first race “I’m eager to continue the development and start the season, I feel fit and ready to race. We have a two-year contract where the goal is to fight for the championship, grow the project and get back to square one.” “Honda and I respect each other a lot and we know when to say things to each other’s faces and when to keep calm,” he added. “We arrive at 2023 after a few demanding years, but we have not lost our spirit or our drive – assured Tetsuhiro Kuwata, director of the racing department – We know what we are capable of, as a company and as a team. Competitiveness in MotoGP has grown a lot , but we are continuing to work hard to give our riders what they need.”