In the 500cc category, a line that has long defined motor racing—a line linking F-1, rally, speed, endurance, trials, and especially the World Motorcycle Championship since 1995, and today MotoGP—continues to unfold. The decision to extend a successful partnership is presented as a commitment, a marriage of sorts, between the Honda Racing Corporation’s competition arm and a team that has earned more world titles than any other factory. The implication is clear: this collaboration will endure for two more seasons, building on a legacy that began in 1949 and has continued through 2023 and 2024, as reported by El Periódico de Catalunya of the Prensa Ibérica group.
All signs point to an official announcement in the near term. Plans appear financially solid enough to be revealed before the season’s final Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Cheste, Valencia. There the championship may be decided, with Pecco Bagnaia of Ducati showing strength after a recent victory in Malaysia. The current champion is Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha, and in Moto2, Augusto Fernandez on Kalex competes alongside Ai Ogura on Kalex, with a points gap of 9.5 separating them.
17 World Titles
Repsol and Honda have extended their storied alliance. Together they have secured 17 drivers’ world titles, a tally that includes Marc Marquez (6), Mick Doohan (5), Valentino Rossi (3), Àlex Crivillé, Nicky Hayden, and Casey Stoner. The relationship was clarified as fully renewed in January 2020 through 2024, underscoring a shared passion for racing and a belief in one of the sport’s most celebrated athletes joining the ranks. Yoshishige Nomura, then head of HRC, emphasized that a single rider can write a singular contract, highlighting MotoGP as a premier platform for experimentation and development for a Spanish energy company. These sentiments reflect the ongoing importance of the championship as a testing ground for technology and performance.
Dorna and partner manufacturers in the World Championship have outlined ambitious fuel goals. By 2024, at least 40% of fuels across all categories should be non-fossil-based, rising to 100% non-fossil-based by 2027. This commitment aligns with broader sustainability aims in high-level competition and signals a shift toward greener mobility solutions in motorsports.
New Fuels
A statement attributed to Clara King, described as the head of Customer Focus at Repsol Technology Lab in Móstoles, framed the World Cup decision as part of Repsol’s drive to deliver sustainability-focused solutions across premier competitions. The aim, she noted, is to create engines with lower environmental impact while maintaining peak performance. Esteve, who has already experimented with fuels in Dakar for Toyota-Repsol, represents the practical side of these initiatives. Looking ahead, Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaró may be joined by Joan Mir next season, a move expected to strengthen Repsol Honda’s charge for another world title in the premier class. The collaboration between Repsol and Honda is built on shared ambition to reclaim and defend championships with top riders.
In recent months, Repsol has supplied 30,000 liters of 100% biofuel to the French F-4 single-seater championship, highlighting the energy company’s active role in promoting sustainable fuels across different racing disciplines. This broader commitment mirrors the initiatives described by industry leaders and confirms a strategic, cross-category push toward greener competition.
The long-standing ties among Repsol, Honda, and a lineup of champions illustrate a coherent strategy: maintain elite performance while accelerating the transition to sustainable fuels. The results of this strategy are watched closely by teams, sponsors, and fans who want to see high-speed racing advance in both capability and responsibility. The next season promises to showcase not only ongoing talent but also the practical application of innovative fuels and engineering that underline modern competitive motorsports. (El Periódico)