Casey Stoner, the former Australian MotoGP rider, recently shared his thoughts on the current situation between Honda and Marc Márquez. Stoner, who has firsthand experience working with Honda, was present at the Grand Prix held at Phillip Island. During the event, he had the opportunity to reconnect with old acquaintances and assess the ongoing scenario at Repsol Honda.
Repsol Honda, the Japanese factory team, is currently navigating through one of its most challenging phases. The biggest question looming is who will step in to fill the shoes of Marc Márquez. Stoner expressed his astonishment at Honda’s decision, stating to TNT Sports, “I’m genuinely surprised that Honda let Marc Márquez go. They should have tried to keep him at any cost.”
The departure of Márquez poses a significant challenge for the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). Finding top-tier talent to represent their official team won’t be easy, especially with Márquez’s minimal losses. “Marc can now head to Gresini and test the waters with Ducati,” Stoner added, touching upon the hottest topic in MotoGP currently.
The exit of Márquez is undoubtedly a massive setback for Honda. However, the team will soon have to address several other pressing issues. With Márquez’s confirmed departure, Honda’s priority is to onboard a new rider. Stoner’s advice is straightforward: “Marc leaving is a blow to Honda. Attracting new talent will be tough, especially with the recent negative press. They need to hire a rider with the right mindset, someone ready to give their all with the equipment provided.”
Stoner believes that Honda should focus on recruiting a “young, fast, and hungry” rider. He suggests looking into the Moto2 talent pool. “Everyone emphasizes maturity and experience, but it often comes at a cost. An experienced rider knows exactly what they want. In contrast, a young, ambitious competitor is willing to give everything. I believe that’s the direction HRC should take. It’s not always about having a team leader; sometimes, what you need is a passionate rider, even if they’re not the most experienced,” concluded the Australian.