With eight-time world champion Marquez joining Gresini Ducati next season, Honda has been desperately trying to find a substitute.
Miguel Oliveira was the favoured choice, however Honda’s insistence on providing a one-year deal took the five-time grand prix winner off the table.
Gresini’s Fabio Di Giannantonio – whom Marquez will exchange – then emerged as favorite, although rumours emerged on the run as much as the Malaysian Grand Prix that Moto2 race winner Fermin Aldeguer had a suggestion.
Nevertheless, on Friday in Malaysia Honda workforce boss Alberto Puig instructed DAZN that neither he, nor Aldeguer’s supervisor, knew the place this hearsay got here from – casting doubt on the rider’s personal feedback this week that he had been in talks.
In the identical DAZN interview, Puig revealed that Pol Espargaro, Di Giannantonio and Marini at the moment are the contenders for Marquez’s trip at Honda. Espargaro has already confirmed he will remain with KTM as a test rider.
Requested by Autosport if he’s held talks with Honda, Marini remained cagey, noting: “Effectively, now, no, on this second. At this time, Friday.”
When pressed if these had occurred sooner or later, he added: “Ah, that is… you should discuss with my supervisor.”
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Luca Marini, VR46 Racing Staff
Marini is contracted to VR46 for the 2024 season, however just isn’t ruling out switching to Honda.
“It is dependent upon the scenario,” he mentioned. Relies upon. There are numerous issues that should be in the identical path, for my part.
“Now I’m feeling actually sturdy, I’m bettering loads throughout this season and subsequent yr I wish to be aggressive and struggle for the rostrum in each race and obtain higher outcomes, so that is my most important goal and I wish to do every part to realize it.”
A swap to Honda would imply Marini swapping the perfect bike for the worst, however admits the attract of main growth at a manufacturing unit workforce is powerful.
“Yeah, you have got the perfect bike, however stepping into a manufacturing unit workforce and develop your personal bike and discuss with the engineers and comply with a path – your path – all people collectively, is a very totally different factor,” he mentioned when requested by Autosport if it made sense transferring to Honda, from a aggressive standpoint.
“I do know that my package deal now could be incredible, the workforce is working very nicely, and Ducati is a incredible bike performing nicely each time in each scenario, each situation.
“But in addition, as a rider, I’ve goals to realize and to trip and work for a manufacturing unit workforce is one thing actually unimaginable, for my part.
“However it must be the proper venture, the proper scenario.”
Di Giannantonio refused to be drawn into any conversations in regards to the competitors he faces to get the manufacturing unit Honda seat and says it’s “not my greatest concern” proper now.
“Which competitors?,” he replied when requested by Autosport if he was apprehensive about Marini taking the Honda seat.
“It’s like all people [is] on that seat, however you guys [the media] additionally put each identify on my seat each time – on the Gresini seat, on the Honda seat.
“So, the competitors is from you. For my aspect, I don’t know. I simply go on the bike and no matter it’s will probably be good.
“In the mean time, it’s not my greatest concern in my thoughts. I simply wish to go quicker tomorrow and within the race on Sunday.”