
MotoGP News Recap
Need more of the MotoGP world in your week till the Austrian GP? We’ve got you covered! Here are the top stories from this week, from team switches to wildcard drivers.
Johann Zarco yet to be confirmed for the 2024 season
Despite running 5th in the championship, Johann Zarco has not been confirmed by any team for the 2024 season. By all accounts, he has had a commendable season with frequent podium and point finishes, but with younger drivers on his heels picking up wins in more recent years, he finds himself without a seat for the upcoming season. However, he believes he still performs well in MotoGP and does not need to branch out to formats like Superbike
Marc Marquez returns to racing post-injury but with another DNF
It’s no surprise that Marc Marquez has been struggling with injuries and an untameable Honda bike for most of the season. He returned to racing at the British GP but crashed out, ending in an unfortunate but unsurprising DNF. Leading up to the race, he updated Motorsport.com about his injuries. “From the rib injury, I recovered very well, very quickly… What bothered me the most was my [right] ankle, which was very inflamed. I tore a ligament, and the area is still very inflamed to this day.” He confirmed that he was feeling significantly better physically. However, with this season’s Honda performance, it’s no surprise that the good news is only limited to his physical abilities.
Reigning Superbike champion Alvaro Bautista confirmed as a wildcard for Sepang
While Johann Zarco denied interest in the Superbike series, reigning champion Alvaro Bautista seems willing to cross over to MotoGP. Bautista tested privately for Ducati and later confirmed his ride at the Sepang circuit, his first since 2018. He remarked that this race is simply an add-on, and the Superbike series remains his priority.
Silly season is on: Pramac, Mooney VR46, and Bezzecchi hold Zarco’s fate
Marco Bezzecchi currently rides for Valentino Rossi’s team Mooney VR46. But with remarkable performance and undeniable talent, he has the freedom and leverage to choose a bike and team for the 2024 season. He must confirm his drive for the season by the Austrian GP, which may result in a domino-effect change in the line-up at the expense of Johann Zarco. Pramac Racing intends to run 2 Ducati factory bikes next season, meaning Mooney VR46 cannot run a factory spec bike. Matters become more complicated as Mooney VR46 may partner with Yamaha next season, meaning that Bezzecchi may end up cutting ties with Ducati altogether.
Alex Rins ditches LCR Honda for Yamaha
Alex Rins is set to join Yamaha in 2024, a move that shocked factory team driver Marc Marquez. Yet, nobody seems to be questioning this move. At this stage, all drivers with Honda either have unwavering faith in the team or are secretly fielding offers from other teams. Ultimately, Rins said he felt unsupported in the team and always felt second-best to factory duo Marquez and Mir, despite recording solid results.
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