One of the iconic partnerships in Motorsports History is ending: Repsol and Honda to end their 30-year-long Partnership

It seems the dark clouds around Honda Racing Corporation in Moto GP has found another gear, and the end to this might be further away than first thought. Honda Moto GP has been dealt another blow just months after losing their talisman rider Marc Marquez to the Ducati Gresini team – now, their star sponsor of 30 years has decided to part ways at the end of this year.

Repsol and Honda’s partnership extended beyond the race track – Honda Corporation shelled out some imposing Respsol special edition road models for their loyalist Honda fans to revel in.

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This historic collaboration between Honda and the Spanish Oil company began in 1995 when it first appeared on NSR500s of Mick Doohan and Alex Cerville and since then has tasted success alongside Honda with triple digits Grand Prix victories and multiple championships in their 30 years of partnership.

Ever since 1995, The distinct white and orange stripes became synonyms with Honda and its Moto GP efforts – and a livery that has been Bourne by some of the greats of the pinnacle of Two-wheeled racing – such as Valentino Rossi, Mick Doohan, Alex Colville, Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez.

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It’s been rumoured from the start of the 2024 season that with the departure of Marc Marquez a Spanish rider, Repsol and its involvement will be fairly limited with Honda Moto GP as they may have had a clause in their contract that would indicate such and one of the telltale signs were the placement of the Repsol branding on the RV213V in quite a discreet position for 2024 was a giveaway that Repsol may end their revered partnership with Honda.

Moreover, Honda has not only lost Repsol as a sponsor But also the Redbull an Austrian energy drinks company also decided to follow Marc Marquez to the Ducati stable in the Gresini Team as his sponsor leaving HRC for the current season.

Repsol’s Statement

“Repsol will not renew its current sponsorship contract with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) for the MotoGP World Championship, which ends on December 31 of this year.

“The Repsol Honda Team is the most successful in the history of the championship, with eleven team titles, 15 rider titles and 183 victories in the premier class of motorcycling.

“Repsol is grateful for HRC’s commitment and dedication during all these years in which we have worked together.

“The multi-energy company will continue to be linked to motor racing to continue developing products and services of the highest quality

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Honda Racing Corporation’s statement

“Honda Racing Corporation and Repsol to end collaboration after 2024.

“After 30 years of collaboration at the highest level of motorcycle racing, Honda Racing Corporation and Repsol will part ways at the conclusion of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship.

“Honda HRC and Repsol have enjoyed a partnership which has become synonymous with success at the highest level. Going beyond sponsorship, it has been a true collaboration between both companies, striving to continue as the reference in Grand Prix motorcycling. 

As suggested by the statements released by The Repsol Company, it does allude that Repsol may find another Host for its branding in the Moto GP paddock but in which cap[acirty it is yet to be seen, and Despite losing two major sponsors in a few months – Redbull and Repsol – Honda isn’t exactly desperate for cash or a new branding as it is to be believed that there’s a queue of sponsors waiting in line to be featured on Honda’s Moto GP machine.

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