Breaking news
MotoGP
Honda confirms Pedrosa to leave at the end of 2018
The Repsol Honda MotoGP team has confirmed it will part ways with Dani Pedrosa at the end of the 2018 season.
Valentin Khorounzhiy
Edited: Jun 5, 2018, 10:53 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The news, which was reported by Motorsport.com earlier on Tuesday, has now officially been communicated by Honda, and means the marque will now fully focus on finding a new teammate to reigning champion Marc Marquez.
Pedrosa has been part of Honda's works MotoGP set-up since 2006, finishing runner-up in the championship three times and winning a total of 31 premier-class races.
Honda's announcement specifies that the partnership will be terminated "by mutual agreement".
"I want to thank HRC [Honda Racing Corporation] for all these years of great success," Pedrosa said. "I have grown not only as a rider but also as a person with them. I will always have HRC in my memories and in my heart.
"In life we all need new challenges and I feel it's time for a change. Thanks, HRC."
Aside from 2015, when he missed three of the opening four races due to arm surgery, the current campaign has marked Pedrosa's worst start to a MotoGP season.
The Spaniard sits 12th in the standings with 29 points to his name after six races, and endured a particularly torrid time in the most recent race weekend at Mugello – where he qualified a career-worst 20th and crashed out on the opening lap.
"Today is a sad day for me," said Yoshishige Nomura, HRC President. "On behalf of HRC, I want to thank Dani for all his hard and successful work, and to express our gratitude for these two decades together.
"We also wish him the very best of luck and success. Thanks, Dani."
Repsol Honda have long been exploring alternatives for Pedrosa, with Johann Zarco, Andrea Dovizioso and Moto2's Joan Mir among those who have been in the frame.
But with Zarco electing to ride for KTM instead, Dovizioso re-signing with Ducati and Mir expected to sign with Suzuki, there is currently no clear favourite to take the seat alongside Marquez.
Factory-contracted LCR rider Cal Crutchlow has previously hinted at an interest in the works seat, while Pramac Ducati's Jack Miller and World Superbikes champion Jonathan Rea have been tenuously linked.
A move for three-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who won his first race with Ducati last time out at Mugello but is widely expected to leave the Italian manufacturer, could be a possibility – although a return to the Yamaha fold is seen as likelier for the Spaniard.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Honda to drop Pedrosa from factory line-up in 2019
Next article Lorenzo in talks with Honda to replace Pedrosa
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Valentin Khorounzhiy
WTCR's April opener cancelled due to coronavirus
WTCR
WTCR
Hungaroring
WTCR's April opener cancelled due to coronavirus
Australian GP issues update on nine F1 paddock coronavirus tests
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Australian GP issues update on nine F1 paddock coronavirus tests
Motorsport Games unveils 15 disciplines for 2020
General
General
Motorsport Games unveils 15 disciplines for 2020
More from
Dani Pedrosa
MotoGP to stage demo at F1 United States Grand Prix
MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP to stage demo at F1 United States Grand Prix
Why Dani Pedrosa won't replace Maverick Vinales at Le Mans, despite his form
MotoGP
MotoGP
French GP
Why Dani Pedrosa won't replace Maverick Vinales at Le Mans, despite his form
Dani Pedrosa reveals the ‘crazy’ training that helped him master wet MotoGP races
MotoGP
MotoGP
Brazil GP
Dani Pedrosa reveals the ‘crazy’ training that helped him master wet MotoGP races
More from
Honda HRC
No factory Honda bikes in Australian GP as Luca Marini withdraws due to virus
MotoGP
MotoGP
Australian GP
3 h
No factory Honda bikes in Australian GP as Luca Marini withdraws due to virus
Joan Mir remains on the sidelines as Honda forced to race with one rider in Australia
MotoGP
MotoGP
Australian GP
Joan Mir remains on the sidelines as Honda forced to race with one rider in Australia
Honda confirms Diogo Moreira for factory team in 2027; David Alonso heads to LCR
MotoGP
MotoGP
Honda confirms Diogo Moreira for factory team in 2027; David Alonso heads to LCR
Latest news
NASCAR Truck Series championship down to two with two to go
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck 1 h
NASCAR Truck Series championship down to two with two to go
MotoGP Australian GP: Marc Marquez recovers from crash to take pole at wet Phillip Island
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
3 h
MotoGP Australian GP: Marc Marquez recovers from crash to take pole at wet Phillip Island
No factory Honda bikes in Australian GP as Luca Marini withdraws due to virus
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
3 h
No factory Honda bikes in Australian GP as Luca Marini withdraws due to virus
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe