Luca Marini’s Honda decision blasted as “one of worst in history - why would he do that?”
Marini is expected to be confirmed as Repsol Honda’s replac✨ement for Marc Marquez for the 2024 MotoGP season.
But his decisiꦑon to exit VR46, therefore swapping a Ducati for a ♔mis-firing Honda, has been criticised.
TNT Sports’ Hodgson said: “Why would he do that?
“Surely, at 26, when you are figuring out how to ride a Ducati, and it has improved thr🍷oughout the year…
“He is so far down th⛎e pecking order at D𓆏ucati because he’s not fast enough on a Ducati.
“You’re not going to be any faster🦩 on that Repsol Honda, ar﷽e you?
“Between the two Repsol Honda riders, one has eight w🦋orld titles, the other has two world titles. They’ve mana✨ged to have 50 crashes so far this season, with four races to go.
“Strange one, isn’t it.
“I can’t imagine that conversation between Luca and his brother! Bearing in m𝐆ind he’s already signed a contract to stay at that team!
“It can’t happen! There is no way!
“I thought he was the most inꦐtelligent MotoGP rider ಞthat we’ve got! That’s what people say about him.
“It will be officiallyꦺ one of the worst signings in history, from a rider, in my opinion.”
Marini finished 10th at the Malaysian MotoGP lಌast weekend, another drab da꧃y for Honda.
Marquez finished 13th, 🐠Iker Lecuona 16th, Takaaki Na🌳kagami 18th and Joan Mir retired early.
Hodgson said during commentary in Sepang: “Tell me where the No1 Honda is, and 🐲how many seconds b𓂃ehind is he?
“Where are the other Hondaꦡs? Two have crashed. The other is doing WorldSBK lap times.
“Unreal.
“You can’t argue with me!”
Marini will follow in his brother Valentino Rossi’s footsteps by representing Hon🦩da.
Although he is stepping up from a satellite team to achieve his dream by becoming a fac⛎tory rider, and likely receivꦕing the pay-rise to reflect the jump, it will come at the cost of a lesser bike.
James was a sports journalist at Sky🦩 Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
