Repsol and Honda’s Legendary Partnership to End After 2024 Season
The iconic partnership between MotoGP’s Repsol Honda will officially end at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Repsol, the Spanish petroleum company, has been the title sponsor of Honda’s premier-class team since 1995. Throughout this partnership, the team has seen legendary riders such as Mick Doohan, Alex Criville, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, and Marc Marquez secure championships under its banner.
Rumors of a potential split between Honda and Repsol have circulated in recent years, as Honda’s performance in MotoGP has notably declined since its last championship win with Marquez in 2019. These rumors gained traction with Marquez’s departure for the 2024 season, a move that left the partnership on shaky ground. This was further underscored by Repsol’s reduced presence on Honda’s 2024 livery, where it was relegated to a less prominent position.
The separation has now been officially confirmed, with the partnership set to conclude on December 31, 2024. In a statement, Repsol expressed its gratitude for Honda Racing Corporation’s (HRC) commitment and dedication over the years, adding that the company will continue its involvement in motorsports to develop high-quality products and services.
Coincidentally, the announcement came on a day when Repsol-branded Hondas were absent from the San Marino Grand Prix, as both works riders, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, withdrew due to illness. However, the split with Repsol likely has more to do with Honda’s dismal season, where it currently ranks last among the five manufacturers, with no top-10 finishes and little hope of catching even fellow struggler Yamaha.
While the end of the Repsol partnership may seem like another setback for Honda’s troubled MotoGP program, it might be a necessary step toward a fresh start. Just as Honda couldn’t fully capitalize on Marquez’s talents this year, its Repsol legacy has become more of a burden than a benefit. The RC213V bike is struggling, and the riders oscillate between emotionless pragmatism and barely concealed frustration. The team is in the early stages of a rebuild, and shedding the weight of past glories could be what it needs to move forward.
The split with Repsol, much like Marquez’s departure, represents an opportunity for Honda to start anew, unburdened by the shadow of its former dominance. These Hondas no longer sit on the shoulders of giants; whatever success lies ahead will come from climbing up from rock bottom.
Image: Repsol Honda MotoGP Team
