MotoGP rumor: Is Honda losing main sponsor Repsol?

The collaboration between the oil company and the most successful MotoGP team in history is probably one of the most legendary collaborations in motorsport. After all, the Japanese factory team’s motorcycle has been shining in the iconic orange, white and red colors of the team’s namesake for 30 years.

And although the collaboration is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, which was celebrated at the team presentation in February, the signs now seem to point to a split. Repsol has already scaled back its involvement somewhat for the current season. Unlike in the last three decades, this year the entire side panel is no longer decorated in the energy giant’s three-colour design, but only a relatively small strip on the underside. The reason for this is probably the lower sponsorship money that the Honda Racing Corporation will receive as a result of the deal.

As our colleagues at autosport.com are now reporting, Repsol is flirting with the idea of ​​withdrawing from sponsorship of Honda. The reason for this is probably the absence of a MotoGP superstar and the current lack of TV and media presence: It is no secret that sponsors’ interest and willingness to pay for teams that are not very successful in sports quickly decreases. It is therefore quite possible that the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer will have to look for a new title sponsor for the 2025 season.

So far, the collaboration has been a great success. Over the last 30 years, premier class world champions such as Mick Doohan, Alex Criville, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden and Marc Marquez have worn the company’s colors. However, the 2024 season could now mark the end of this chapter.