Honda heroes return home for Japanese GP
Mobility Resort MotegiA highlight of every season for the Repsol Honda Team, the approaching Japanese GP brings with it unique demands for Joan Mir and Luca Marini in the home of Honda.
The final stop of a trip which started in Italy arrives this weekend for the MotoGP World Championship as another battle awaits at Mobility Resort Motegi. Having hosted the Japanese GP since 1999, the 4.8-kilometre-long track boasts a varied track layout which tests every aspect of a MotoGP machine. The Repsol Honda Team achieved their most recent podium there in 2023, Marc Marquez taking third in torrential conditions.
Ready to remount the ever-improving Honda RC213V, Joan Mir lands in Japan with a point to prove after a trying weekend in Indonesia where Mir was able to consistently show the newly unlocked potential in himself and the bike. Delivering on this potential and banishing the bad luck of Mandalika will be crucial for the 2020 MotoGP World Champion. Last year Mir took 12th in the Japanese GP.
Luca Marini arrives in Motegi ready for his first Japanese GP as a factory Honda rider, a special moment for anyone who has worn the Repsol Honda Team colours. Having missed last year’s race due to injury, this will be Marini’s second visit as a premier class rider to Motegi. Taking sixth there in 2022 shows his fondness for the track where he hopes to turn his fortunes around after a luckless weekend in Lombok.
Location: Mobility Resort Motegi
Located amongst the vast natural beauty of the northern Kanto district, the twin ring circuit at Motegi in Japan consists of a 1.5 mile oval and a 2.9 mile road course constructed to international standards. Built by Honda as the ultimate test facility in August 1997, the road circuit became home to MotoGP in 1999 whilst the oval is designed to introduce American motorsports culture to the country.
Mobility Resort Motegi is a major attraction for motorsports fans all year round as it is the venue for the Honda Collection Hall, a museum which houses an illustrious collection of motorcycle, car and racing machines from throughout the ages. The complex also includes a safety and riding school, go-karts, hotel, restaurant, shops and event halls and currently employs some 300 staff.
Motegi is a track that’s really different to Mandalika, not just the temperature around but also the layout and the tyres and all of this. It’s another good chance to try these recent upgrades and understand every aspect of them more. I feel like the team and I have been able to build a good base so I hope we can arrive and be in the mix. As a Honda rider Motegi is special, I really noticed it last year. It’s something you always look forward to and I’m looking forward to giving all the Honda fans something to cheer about.
Motegi is a track that’s really different to Mandalika, not just the temperature around but also the layout and the tyres and all of this. It’s another good chance to try these recent upgrades and understand every aspect of them more. I feel like the team and I have been able to build a good base so I hope we can arrive and be in the mix. As a Honda rider Motegi is special, I really noticed it last year. It’s something you always look forward to and I’m looking forward to giving all the Honda fans something to cheer about.
I am really looking forward to racing in Japan as an HRC rider. It’s an incredible country and to arrive there with this bike and these colours is something that many people dream about, I want to enjoy the whole weekend. Of course, the best way to enjoy is on the track and I know that we can again be strong like in Misano and Indonesia before the crash on Sunday. We have a week break coming up so I am determined to go into it with another boost and show what we can do.
I am really looking forward to racing in Japan as an HRC rider. It’s an incredible country and to arrive there with this bike and these colours is something that many people dream about, I want to enjoy the whole weekend. Of course, the best way to enjoy is on the track and I know that we can again be strong like in Misano and Indonesia before the crash on Sunday. We have a week break coming up so I am determined to go into it with another boost and show what we can do.