As a consequence of Alex Rins’ contract with LCR (Honda) for the 2023 season, Takaaki Nakagami’s career in MotoGP comes to an end after five years of winning the premier class.
Likewise, the second seat in the team is expected to go to Ai Ogura, who is currently just one point behind the leader in Moto2.
With limited options on the transfer market, Nakagami was last linked with a possible role with Honda’s MotoGP test team, although a move to the Superbike World Championship was also discussed.
However, for Honda team principal Leon Camier, Takaaki Nakagami is not on the priority list. “No, not at the moment,” Camier commented in an exclusive interview with ‘Motorsport-Total.com’ on the sidelines of the WSBK event in Most.
“Soon there will be an announcement about the 2023 drivers,” says Camier, making it clear that he would like to work with Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge again next year: “I would be very happy if we could continue with them,” he guaranteed.
After two years with Alvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam, Honda decided to take a chance on two rookies in the WSBK paddock. The proposal paid off, as Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge have had good results so far.
In this sense, Camier is convinced that Iker Lecuona has no reason to hide from comparisons with his predecessor, Álvaro Bautista.
“Iker drives differently. There were minimal changes to the tires compared to last year, but the bottom line is that we are going faster.”
“Iker’s driving technique is really good. In general, his driving style is really impressive. He finds his rhythm very fast. His natural talent is incredible.”
Likewise, his teammate, Xavi Vierge , also impressed Camier. In the championship, the two Honda rookies are currently in the top 10, with Iker Lecuona sixth in the championship.
Vierge, meanwhile, reaches Most tenth on the qualifying sheet.
“It seems that Iker will outshine Xavi this year, but that is not the reality,” he said. “Xavi had two injuries. At Misano he broke his wrist. He had six fractures. In the Superpole race at Misano he did incredibly well.”
“Both riders are really impressive,” concluded Camier , who is committed to ensuring the two Spaniards will continue to work for the Honda factory team in 2023.
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