Oliveira’s Cool Response to Honda’s One-Year MotoGP Offer

Five-time MotoGP winner Miguel Oliveira stays calm as Honda offers a one-year contract for 2024.

Following Marc Marquez’s move to Gresini Ducati, Oliveira becomes the favored choice to fill the vacancy at Honda Racing Corporation.

Contracted to Aprilia, Oliveira can explore options due to a contractual clause, despite commitment for the upcoming season

Honda eyes a one-year deal, keeping options open for 2025 when numerous factory riders hit free agency in recent weeks. When asked about Honda’s approach at the Malaysian Grand Prix, Oliveira remained composed, stating, “No, it’s not disappointing. It’s a business; they look for opportunities, so do we.”

Oliveira stressed the risks of a one-year deal, highlighting the challenge of switching manufacturers without a clear future commitment.

“They want a rider for a year, and nowadays it’s too risky,” Oliveira said. “Even for a big manufacturer, breaking ties without future guarantees is tough.

He also mentioned his consideration for the factory Aprilia squad in 2025, pointing out the upcoming shift in the typical two-year contract cycle for riders at the end of 2024.

“Exactly. You know, every rider breaks this two-year contract cycle next year [at the end of 2024], so anyway everything will be open. I just don’t see how it would be possible to risk that much without guarantees of continuing. I think it’s quite hard.”

While Pol Espargaro and Maverick Vinales were considered for Honda, Espargaro confirmed commitment as a test rider for KTM, and Vinales expressed loyalty to Aprilia.

In the complex world of MotoGP, marked by strategic moves and contractual nuances, Miguel Oliveira maintains his composed approach, carefully evaluating opportunities aligning with his career trajectory and long-term goals.