MotoGP: Honda Confirms End Of 30-Year Partnership In Shock Contract Announcement

Honda Racing Corporation has confirmed the conclusion of its long-standing partnership with Repsol, marking the end of a 30-year sponsorship alliance. Honda’s decision to part ways with the Spanish oil giant will take effect on December 31, 2024, concluding one of the most successful collaborations in MotoGP history.

Confirming the exit of its title sponsor, Honda revealed in a statement, as quoted by Crash.net:

“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 MotoGP
Respol Honda Team’s Italian rider Luca Marini takes part in a practice session of the MotoGP British Grand Prix at Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire, central England, on August 2, 2024. Honda announces it will part…


BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP via Getty Images

“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.”

The announcement continued:

“Debuting in 1995, the Repsol Honda Team achieved immediately success and won the Premier Class World Championship that same year. The following three decades have seen the collaboration between Honda HRC and Repsol claim 15 Premier Class World Championships, 10 Premier Class Team Championships, 183 Premier Class wins and 455 Premier Class podiums.

“Honda HRC wishes Repsol all the best in their future business and sporting ventures.”

The partnership, which began in 1995 with Repsol’s branding appearing prominently on the Honda NSR500 bikes, has been a cornerstone of MotoGP’s competitive fabric.

With icons like Mick Doohan and Alex Criville marking the early years, and with recent performances by Marc Marquez, the Repsol Honda Team became a symbol of dominance and innovation.

For Repsol, the end of the agreement doesn’t mean a withdrawal from the MotoGP scene entirely. The company expressed its gratitude for the partnership’s shared achievements, as quoted in the same report from Crash.net:

“Repsol will not renew its agreement with HRC in MotoGP.

“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 team 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.”

Fans eagerly wait for further announcements from Repsol.

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