MRW Issue 33

NEWS DESK
Yamaha obviously have a decision to make.
Speaking to motogp.com back in Austin,
Yamaha’s Lin Jarvis said their “number one
choice” would be Morbidelli. Jarvis also
said, “All of these type of considerations,
really, happen at the end of the first half
of the season. Then we need to know, he
needs to know, everyone needs to know for
their planning for next year.”
The end of the first half of the season has
arrived, so Morbidelli is one of the big
names to keep an eye on.
KTM/GASGAS:
As we’ve already discussed, the factory
team are set. Binder and Miller aren’t going
anywhere, so that means it’s all eyes on
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3.
One name in particular has given the KTM
and GASGAS hierarchy some headaches:
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo). Acosta
and his camp have made it clear that
Moto2 “isn’t an option” for 2024, and
it’s well documented that the deadline for
KTM to offer Acosta a MotoGP seat is
June 30th. The ball is firmly in KTM’s court
on this one. Acosta will be moving to the
premier class in 2024, but will it be with the
KTM family?
With Pol Espargaro having a contract for
2024, it’s unlikely we’ll see the #44 – who
hasn’t raced so far in 2023 due to the
injuries he sustained in Portimao – not
dressed in GASGAS Tech3 red again next
year. That, then, more than likely leaves one
seat for Acosta to fill if KTM decide to keep
the Spanish starlet – and that’s the one
currently occupied by reigning Moto2
World Champion Augusto Fernandez.
Fernandez has been impressive in his
rookie premier class campaign, with the
highlight coming with a superb P4 at the
French GP. This is where KTM’s very tough
decision comes into play. Do they risk
losing Acosta to a rival manufacturer and
keep Fernandez, or do they opt to bring
Acosta into MotoGP and decide to let
Fernandez go? It won’t be long before we
know the answer.
HONDA:
The obvious, main topic of conversation
when it comes to Honda is Marc Marquez’s
situation. The eight-time World Champion
has a contract with HRC for 2024, but after
what’s unfolded in recent weeks – most
notably the five crashes in Germany and
subsequent injuries – the #93’s future isn’t
certain.
As Repsol Honda Team Manager Alberto
Puig admits, Honda are in a “really bad”
situation with their RC213V. That’s led to
Marquez being in one of his “most difficult
professional moments.” The summer break
feels like a crucial five weeks for Marquez
and Honda’s future. If a premature break
up was to happen, and that’s a big if, the
2024 silly season would rev into overdrive.
Marquez leaving Honda before the end of
2024 is a highly complex avenue. But it’s
not an impossible one.