Stefan Bradl, currently Honda’s test rider in MotoGP, often participates in wildcards after several years in this role. There is speculation that Aleix Espargaró may be hired for similar duties in 2025, after ending his full-time career at the end of this season.
However, this prospect does not concern the German rider much, as he assured the GPOne.com site: ‘I haven’t had sleepless nights. But obviously, some thoughts cross your mind at a time when there are changes at the top of HRC, and you have to make some changes because the results are far from satisfactory. We have tried many new parts and components over the past few years, but we have not been able to improve the performance of our bike. But from HRC and the test team, I have always had the confirmation that my work was appreciated. This was said not only by the other Honda riders but also by all the technicians who have a lot of experience’.
That said, Bradl admitted there is always some uncertainty: ‘The technicians and riders have always welcomed my feedback and never complained about any flaws or mistakes on my part. But you never know what is going on in a large company like Honda and what they will decide in the end’.
KTM is an example of how a manufacturer can have more than one busy test rider, with Dani Pedrosa, Jonas Folger, and Pol Espargaró. This is something Honda now also wants, as the test rider mentioned: ‘It was already evident at the beginning of the year that they were looking for a second test rider. I was curious about what that would mean for my position at HRC. But I have always felt a lot of support and trust from everyone involved’.