MotoGP transfer market is booming: now Rossi’s half-brother Marc Marquez is expected to replace

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It’s a shame for the Japanese. The once proud Honda factory team not only loses MotoGP superstar Marc Marquez (30) for 2024 to the staid Gresini private team, which can offer them competitive Ducati bikes.

And Honda now has another problem with its slow machine. No driver wants to succeed Marquez. Previously unthinkable. But now a crazy solution should help, as speedweek.com reveals.

Stylish average driver in the once proud Honda factory team

Luca Marini (26) will replace Marquez from 2024. The Italian is the half-brother of Valentino Rossi (44). During his active career, the motorcycle legend was not on good terms with his ex-employer Honda and Marquez.

An honest average pilot like Marini now dictates the terms to the Japanese. Honda actually only wanted to give the orphan a place for one season because many top drivers have expiring contracts from 2025. But Marini seems to be pushing for a two-year contract.

Even Marquez had to smile when asked about Marini as his possible successor on the sidelines of the Malaysian GP. “I’m happy if he makes this change, it’s a nice challenge,” says the Spaniard.

Stars like Mick Doohan, Rossi, Casey Stoner and Marquez made up the Honda factory team with wins and titles. Now the Japanese have to hire a pilot who previously would never have made it into the ranks.

In three years of MotoGP, Marini achieved only one podium finish. He experienced his best time in Moto2, where he achieved all six GP victories and became vice world champion in 2020.

Source : Blick