Aleix Espargaro will be making the switch to Honda for 2025 to strengthen its MotoGP test team come his impending retirement from full-time racing.
Ahead of the Catalan Grand Prix, Espargaro held an emotional press conference where he announced his retirement from competing at the end of the current season.
Espargaro’s career has so far seen him accumulate three race wins with Aprilia since joining the team in 2017, with 11 podiums to his name.
The 34-year-old will work together with the incumbent test rider Stefan Bradl in its mission to get themselves back to the front of the grid.
Honda’s new signing will provide optimism to the team going forward thanks to Espargaro’s ability to develop bikes, considering he played a large role in overseeing Aprilia’s rise up the grid when it was once down in the doldrums.
Honda have rapidly declined in recent years and his opinions will be of great value to the Japanese marque.
Honda Racing Corporation released a short statement: “With close to 250 premier class starts, the 34-year-old brings with him a wealth of experience on Grand Prix machinery as well as the pedigree of three victories and over 1,300 MotoGP points. He will join HRC stalwart Stefan Bradl in continuing the development of the Honda RC213V.”
The statement doesn’t provide any additional details regarding the number of wildcard entries for 2025, but it is likely he will feature in races with Honda next year due to MotoGP’s new concessions rulings.
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