Throughout the Malaysian Grand Prix weekend, Honda staff boss Alberto Puig instructed DAZN that there have been three riders who have been candidates to take the manufacturing unit HRC spot being vacated by eight-time world champion Marquez.
Present Gresini rider Fabio Di Giannantonio – who Marquez will change – was considered one of them, alongside ex-Honda rider Pol Espargaro and VR46 Ducati’s Marini.
Espargaro dominated himself out of this on Friday, telling the media at Sepang that he had held talks with Puig however had determined to stay with KTM as a take a look at rider subsequent season.
As Autosport has discovered, contacts between Francesco Secchiaroli, the Marini’s agent, and Puig intensified this Saturday within the Sepang paddock, after a number of conferences between the Spanish govt and the Japanese Honda officers, who had travelled to Malaysia.
Marini remained cagey on the topic when Autosport requested him about it on Friday in Malaysia.
“Requested by Autosport if he’s held talks with Honda, he stated: “Effectively, now, no, on this second. At this time, Friday.”
When pressed if these had occurred sooner or later, he added: “Ah, that is… it’s good to discuss with my supervisor.”
Marini didn’t deny that becoming a member of Honda appealed to him, regardless of already being contracted to VR46 for 2024 on the grid’s greatest bike.
“Yeah, you might have the most effective bike, however moving into a manufacturing unit staff and develop your personal bike and discuss with the engineers and observe a path – your path – everyone collectively, is a very completely different factor,” he stated when requested by Autosport if it made sense shifting to Honda, from a aggressive standpoint.
“I do know that my bundle now could be unbelievable, the staff is working very properly, and Ducati is a unbelievable bike performing properly each time in each scenario, each situation.
“But additionally, as a rider, I’ve desires to realize and to journey and work for a manufacturing unit staff is one thing actually unbelievable, for my part.
“However it must be the proper venture, the proper scenario.”
He added on Friday: “The issue, in immediately’s MotoGP is that, in a single 12 months, with solely 5 days of pre-season testing, there is no such thing as a time for something.
“My objective is to succeed in a manufacturing unit construction and develop a motorcycle, however it’s important to do it with the appropriate alternative.
“Doing only one 12 months, in any MotoGP staff may be very dangerous for any rider.
“The Ducati is horrifying, it is a bike that lets you go quick. However, I’ve to say, creating a motorcycle such as you like could be a really good factor to do.”
VR46 staff boss Uccio Salucci stated on the matter: “I would like him to stick with us, however I’d even be completely satisfied if he left, as a result of the objective of the Academy [the VR46 rider training school] is to assist our guys to succeed in an official staff.”
Autosport understands that 18-year-old Moto2 star Fermin Aldeguer has been chosen by VR46 as its favorite possibility to exchange Marini.
Aldeguer – who was linked to a Honda swap for subsequent 12 months, however this was denied by Puig earlier this weekend – has made contact with VR46 staff bosses on Saturday at Sepang.
Marini’s resolution to hitch Honda could come as a shock, however it’s thought that stepping out from his brother Valentino Rossi’s staff is a manner for Marini to indicate that he’s not merely protected by the nine-time grand prix world champion.
A Marini swap to Honda would additionally reignite Rossi hyperlinks to the Japanese marque 20 years on from him leaving the model he received the primary of his three MotoGP titles with.