Nakagami Contemplates MotoGP Future Amidst Uncertainty and Competition for LCR Honda Seat

Takaaki Nakagaki: "A Moment for Reflection" on MotoGP Career Prospects

Takaaki Nakagaki: “Following this Grand Prix, we're heading into a week-long break… It seems like an opportune moment to reflect on my future.”

Takaaki Nakagami is eager to have clarity on his MotoGP career prospects prior to the commencement of the overseas races.

Since entering the top tier in 2018 as an LCR Honda competitor, Nakagami's position is at risk from Moto2 sensation Somkiat Chantra.

Speculation indicates that an agreement with the rider from Thailand might already be in place, but HRC team manager Alberto Puig emphasized in Austria on Sunday that "a decision has not been made at this point."

It is believed that Honda has extended an offer to Nakagami, who has been widely considered for a MotoGP test riding position. However, HRC has recently brought Aleix Espargaro on board to work alongside Stefan Bradl in its European testing squad.

Nakagami chose not to disclose the specifics of the offer from HRC, yet he did provide a timeframe for making a decision:

“I’m aiming for either Aragon or Misano,” Nakagami expressed. “Following this Grand Prix, we get a week's break as the Repsol team heads to the Misano tests, but our LCR squad has no such plans. It seems I’ll have some time to ponder over it.”

The Aragon race is scheduled for the upcoming weekend, and it will be immediately succeeded by the inaugural Misano event.

A replacement round at Misano, substituting for Kazakhstan, is scheduled for September 20-22, preceding the series of five international races, starting in Indonesia.

Alberto Puig suggests Honda needs to consider its future direction. In the Austrian MotoGP that took place on Sunday, Nakagami ended up being the highest-placed rider for Honda, securing the 14th position. This result placed him only a point away from his team member and the leading Honda competitor, Johann Zarco, in the global championship rankings (18th).

Joan Mir from Repsol Honda currently shares a score of 13 points with Nakagami, while Luca Marini has managed to earn only a single point this season.

"Nakagami expressed his preference to remain with his current team and keep going, emphasizing during a discussion at Silverstone earlier in the month that it wouldn't be just to judge his performance this season. He pointed out that all four riders, including himself, are facing challenges, indicating it's not solely his issue."

In a conversation with Simon Crafar at the Red Bull Ring, Puig mentioned regarding the final 2025 Honda racing slot, “We haven't made a decision so far. However, Taka brings a wealth of familiarity with our motorcycle to the table, not to mention his speed.

Indeed, his fortune hasn't been the best in recent years due to various injuries. However, having a Japanese rider of such caliber is greatly beneficial for the team, as it ensures smoother communication in Japanese, which is naturally easier for them to grasp.

"I believe Taka has a solid grasp of the motorcycle's intricacies, and over the years, his contributions have significantly aided in its evolution."

"On the flip side, it's accurate to say that the Asia Talent Cup has been a breeding ground for numerous competitors. For instance, Ogura recently inked a deal with Aprilia to race in MotoGP, and there's potential for Chantra to step up to MotoGP in the coming times as well."

"Thus, it's a matter of finding middle ground, and Honda needs to consider the prospects for these individuals. However, having seasoned riders alongside newcomers is consistently beneficial. Essentially, this reflects our current scenario with the Asian riders."

"Chantra may have potential, but Nakagami brings the seasoned expertise," remarked Johann Zarco, Nakagami's teammate at LCR Honda, who is in the initial year of his two-year agreement.

"I'm not sure [who the choice will be]. Chantra's name has come up. It would be quite exciting for Thailand to have a representative. He's very energetic and aggressive in his style. However, evidently, he lacks the experience that Nakagami brings to the table."

Regarding the RC213V project, the Frenchman mentioned that Chantra’s minimal experience in MotoGP could actually be a positive aspect.

"Having a newcomer on the team, who is still picking up new skills, could help us identify the strengths and weaknesses of the motorcycle. This is because a rookie comes without any preconceived benchmarks."

"At times, possessing something akin to a 'blank slate' can be rather intriguing and beneficial."

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