Takaaki Nakagami will remain with the LCR Honda MotoGP outfit for 2024 after signing an extension with the squad, the Japanese secured for a further season in the premier class.
Nakagami has competed in MotoGP with the Italian outfit as a Honda-contracted pilot since making his bow in the series in 2018, the two-time Moto2 race winner running in the colours of Japanese oil company Idemitsu throughout his stay in MotoGP.
Rumours have been abound in recent months that he may be moved aside for Honda’s young protégé Ai Ogura, who is currently contesting his third season in Moto2 with the Japanese manufacturer-backed Honda Team Asia team.
With Honda struggling to make headway with its tricky RC213V premier class machine though, it has elected to keep the experienced Nakagami as it looks to rebuild its programme. This news seemed all but confirmed after Ogura signed with new Moto2 outfit MT Helmets – MSI last week, though he remains contracted to Honda going forward.
Nakagami says he is “excited” to continue his MotoGP journey with Honda and LCR, adding he feels all three parties are a “good match.”
“I feel LCR is part of my family, and of course, I’m excited to be with them for another season,” said Nakagami.
“I want to thank them and HRC for the opportunity, as I know we are a good match. Now it’s time to work even harder to be ready for the future”.
LCR Team Principle Lucio Ceccinello echoed Nakagami’s thoughts and says he is “proud to count” on the services of Nakagami for 2024.
“I’m proud to count on Nakagami for another year,” said Ceccinello.
“He’s a fast rider who can get good results, and alongside HRC, we believe it’s time to keep pushing, as he’s one of the most experienced guys with this bike. We will give our best to fight for the positions we aim for”.
Nakagami currently sits 17th overall in the riders standings on 35 points, his best result of eighth coming off the back of a strong run at Assen in the Dutch TT.
He remains 12 markers adrift of injured team-mate Alex Rins despite the Spaniard having been forced to sit on the sidelines with a broken leg since the Italian Grand Prix back in June. The bulk of Rins’ points were scored as a result of his stand-out Americas GP weekend, where he scored an unlikely victory in Sunday’s grand prix as well as a runner-up finish in Saturday’s sprint contest.
Rins will remain out of action until at least the Indonesian GP in mid-October after a recent Aragon test to evaluate his physical condition didn’t produce the desired results.
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