Published: 17 Jul 2024
Nakagami to Leave MotoGP "If Still at the Bottom of the Grid at the End of 2024"
After a complicated first half of the season, Takaaki Nakagami is willing to leave Honda and MotoGP should he “still [be] at the bottom of the grid”.
Lucio Cecchinello has expressed willingness to continue with Takaaki Nakagami in 2025, however, the Japanese rider finds himself at a crucial juncture in his career.
Faced with the choice of staying with LCR and struggling on the underperforming RC213V, or seeking opportunities elsewhere, Nakagami is weighing his options.
“I’d be happy to stay in LCR, but it depends on the bike. I’m no longer 20 years old, but 32, so it’s normal to think carefully about the future,” Nakagami shared in an interview with Motorsport-Total.
Currently sitting 20th in the overall standings with 10 points, Nakagami is determined not to be seen as a rider in decline. He firmly believes his performance is on par with his Honda MotoGP colleagues.
“I’m not slower than Mir, Zarco, and Marini. We’re all more or less close in the standings,” he emphasized, highlighting the minimal gap between him and his fellow Honda riders.
The primary source of frustration for Nakagami is the bike’s performance, “especially because it’s a factor out of my control”.
“They’re trying everything at Honda but, at the moment, we still have critical issues. Looking towards the future, as mentioned, I’d like to continue with the team next year, to see if and how good we’ll be. In short, I’m curious to see how far I’ll be able to progress.”
However, Nakagami is clear about his ambitions. It’s not an option to race just for the sake of being on the grid for the Japanese. “If I realize I can’t do better than the back of the grid, I’ll go home. There’s no doubt about that.”
A decision regarding his future is expected by the end of the summer, a timeline driven by his belief in the potential for improvement. Nakagami concluded: “I’m convinced that we can improve. That’s why I prefer to wait before deciding.”
