Marini Rejects Razgatlioglu Joining Honda Rumors
Luca Marini, who is currently in the first year of a two-year contract with Repsol Honda, has made it clear that he does not support the idea of Toprak Razgatlioglu joining the team for the MotoGP 2025 season. Amid speculations about the possibility of Joan Mir not renewing his contract with Honda, Marini emphasized the importance of recruiting a rider with proven experience in the premier class of motorcycles rather than betting on an up-and-coming star from WorldSBK like Razgatlioglu.
Razgatlioglu caught the attention of the motorcycle world by leading the Superbike Championship with BMW in his debut season with the brand. This performance fueled rumors of a potential transition to MotoGP, especially with his manager Kenan Sofuoglu indicating that interest would only be with a factory team.
However, Marini expressed his disagreement in an interview with GPone.com, stating categorically, “I say no!”. He emphasized that if it were necessary to replace Mir at Honda, it would be more interesting to recruit a rider with previous experience with teams like Aprilia or KTM, capable of bringing valuable technical knowledge to Honda.
Marini’s preference for an experienced rider stems from the need to strengthen the team’s technical structure, particularly considering Honda’s current position at the bottom of the constructors’ championship. He highlighted the importance for any new rider to be able to significantly contribute with technical insights and feedback, ensuring smooth integration within the team.
While names like Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira are still awaiting confirmation for the 2025 season with KTM and Aprilia, respectively, Marini highlighted his own successful transition to Ducati, underscoring the importance of a strategic choice for Honda’s future.
As the MotoGP season progresses and contract negotiations unfold, Honda’s decisions regarding its lineup for 2025 will be influenced by considerations of experience, technical skills, and compatibility with the team dynamics.
