HRC team boss Alberto Puig admits Honda is open to the retiring Dani Pedrosa remaining with Honda as a MotoGP test rider, but says the decision will be down to Pedrosa.
Pedrosa announced on the eve of the German Grand Prix that he would be retiring from racing at the end of the 2018 season, despite rumours linking him to a seat with the Petronas Yamaha team.
Numerous riders have remained in MotoGP in test roles after their retirements, most notably double world champion Casey Stoner, who was an HRC tester before returning to Ducati in the same role in 2016.
Puig says Honda's “opinion” on Pedrosa taking on a role as test rider is known to the Spaniard, and says HRC will “respect” whatever decision he makes at the conclusion of his racing career.
“We were talking about this story, it's always interesting [to think] about it,” Puig said when asked if Pedrosa could remain with Honda as a test rider.
“And then he must [decide if he wants to become a test rider], for this he knows the opinion from Honda.
“So in case he wants to continue testing, which we really don't know yet because it is his life, and above all we respect what he wants to do and what decision taken, we respect them all.
“But will be his decision if he wants to stay in Honda to be a test rider or not. It's up to him.”
Marquez and Lorenzo as teammates will be 'complicated'
Jorge Lorenzo will take Pedrosa's place alongside Marc Marquez next year after agreeing a two-year deal with Honda.
Both have endured a mixed relationship on track over the years, and Puig admits having two multiple world champions in the team will be “complicated”, though says HRC would not run a team in MotoGP if it wanted things to be easy.
“Of course the understanding is that a top team wants to have the best riders, this is the principle,” Puig added.
“So the possibility was there and we took it. Other teams, I don't know what they are doing, maybe they are not doing, but for Honda it's important we prepare the best bikes we can and give them to the riders that are more fast and see what they can get.
“So, of course, not easy, but racing itself is complicated and it's a difficult environment.
“But if we want things to be easy we will probably not be running a team at this level.
“So, complicated but it's a challenge and in Honda we are always looking for a challenge.”
