Honda was reduced to a single MotoGP rider, Takaaki Nakagami, for the German Grand Prix after a series of weekend incidents forced Honda’s top racer, Marc Marquez, to withdraw. Despite surviving the perilous conditions that had taken down his teammate, Nakagami admitted to racing “scared” and struggled throughout the event, finishing in a distant 14th place.
Nakagami Recalls Marquez’s Fateful Crash
Marquez’s fifth collision of the weekend at the Sachsenring resulted in a minor finger injury, prompting him to withdraw from the race. Nakagami, who had been following Marquez at the time of the crash, reflected on the incident with trepidation.
He recalled, “This morning I was behind Marc. And I witnessed that nasty crash. It wasn’t over-riding, he didn’t miss the apex. Just he lost the rear somehow. He made a big, big, massive high-side. And… yeah, when I saw this, honestly I was scared, myself. Because, same bike. And a couple of times I had the same feeling.”
After the incident, Nakagami was the only Honda rider on the grid for the 30-lap German Grand Prix, a task he described as “tough”, “sad”, and “lonely”.
Honda’s Current Struggles in MotoGP
Marquez’s absence also highlighted Honda’s recent difficulties in MotoGP. Nakagami’s concerns stemmed not just from his teammate’s medical conditions, but also from the bike’s performance, with the Honda RC213V’s handling proving particularly troubling.
“Even the entry, the rear, this package does not generate grip.” “It’s simple to get to an entry high-side,” Nakagami explained. “There is no grip as soon as you touch the throttle.” As a result, the bike is always spinning. I don’t know if it’s because of the mechanical grip or even electronics, but it’s a little tricky to control.”
Marquez’s Optimistic Outlook for Dutch MotoGP
Despite his pullout from the German MotoGP, Marquez has offered encouraging signs of a return to the Dutch MotoGP. The genius rider, known for his bravery and risk-taking, stated, “After five crashes, especially the one this morning [in the warm up], I don’t feel ready to race, so I’ve decided not to push. Because in Holland there is more to come. I don’t feel ready. I have many blows to my body and especially my ankle, a small fracture. I’m not ready.”
Marquez’s optimism and Nakagami’s determined performance despite his fears present a picture of perseverance among the Honda squad as they face new challenges. The duo’s excitement for the Dutch MotoGP indicates that they are hoping for improved results and solutions to their mechanical troubles in the upcoming race.
