Oliveira confirms Honda "approach" to replace Marquez in MotoGP
Miguel Oliveira says “it’s a pleasure” to be top of Honda’s list to replace Marc Marquez in MotoGP in 2024, but ‘didn't have it in my mind to change’ teams.
Honda announced last week that it had reached a mutual agreement with eight-time world champion Marquez to terminate his current contract at the end of the 2023 season.
Marquez will move to Gresini Ducati, which was announced on Thursday morning, to try to once again to fight at the front of the field having struggled immensely on the uncompetitive Honda this season.
On Tuesday, Autosport revealed that former KTM rider, current RNF Aprilia runner and five-time grand prix winner Miguel Oliveira is Honda’s preferred option to replace Marquez.
Commenting on this on Thursday ahead of the Indonesian Grand Prix – which Oliveira won last year – he said: “I think this season we have seen a lot of unprecedented things.
“We’ve seen riders sent home [who had signed] with contracts, we’ve seen riders breaking contracts and go to other places.
“So, anything is possible. It’s true that it’s a pleasure to be considered by another manufacturer as big as Honda, especially when it’s a factory seat on offer. That’s it.
Miguel Oliveira, RNF MotoGP Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
“As I told you, I didn't have it in my mind to change. But there is nothing on the table. There is just an approach, but nothing concrete.”
It is thought Oliveira has a clause in his current Aprilia contract that states he can leave at the end of 2023 if a factory team offers him a seat.
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola disputed this earlier this week, telling Italian outlet GPOne that “as far as Aprilia is concerned, we have signed contracts, so stop bothering us. Contracts must be ironclad.”
Oliveira dodged questions on Thursday about a clause in his contract stating he can leave early if a factory team offers him a seat.
“It’s true that Aprilia has a right to offer me a factory seat for '25 and '26, not '24,” was all he said on the matter.
Oliveira currently sits 13th in the standings heading into this weekend’s Indonesian GP.
Share Or Save This Story
MotoGP 2025: Full rider line-up revealed
A year on from Marquez’s Germany MotoGP meltdown, has Honda improved?
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
How Marquez changed his approach to launch late MotoGP title challenge
MotoGP Australian GP: Marquez wins sprint to take championship lead after Martin's crash
The contrasting tactics used by Ducati and Aprilia in MotoGP 2026 title fight
Honda rider Marini withdraws from Australian GP due to virus
Honda confirms Moreira for factory team in 2027; Alonso heads to LCR
Who is going well and who is in trouble after MotoGP Sepang test
The two recurring issues that hampered Verstappen and Red Bull again at the US GP
Alonso criticises quality of F1 backmarkers after Albon clash at United States GP
Russell scrambling for answers after "not being quick enough" at US GP
A strategic masterclass: How Antonelli put himself on the cusp of F1 title at the US GP
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments