Repsol Officially Announces End of Honda MotoGP Partnership by the End of 2024

In any domain, partnerships eventually come to an end, and this time it’s the long-standing collaboration between Honda and Repsol that is reaching its conclusion. After 30 years in MotoGP, Repsol has decided to terminate its partnership with Honda at the end of 2024, parting ways with its long-time ally that brought 15 championships, 18 race victories, and 455 podium finishes.

Repsol officially announces the end of its partnership with Honda, marking the end of a 30-year relationship

This iconic duo has reached its finale, though signs of an impending split have been evident in recent years. Over time, the size of Repsol stickers on Honda’s factory bikes has gradually shrunk, and their placement has shifted from covering the entire body, as if to emphasize the alliance.

In the past, Honda MotoGP bikes were adorned with large Repsol stickers

Recently, Repsol stickers have become smaller and moved to less prominent positions

The main reason for the termination can be attributed to Honda’s recent struggles in MotoGP, with the team securing front-running positions less frequently. For those not closely following the sport, the tables below summarize the 2024 season performances of Joan Mir and Luca Marini. As of May 28th, their best result was ninth place in Spain, with most other finishes in the 10-20 range. This undoubtedly impacts Repsol’s perceived return on investment, as television coverage tends to focus on the leading riders.

Honda’s best result in the 2024 season was ninth place

Joan Mir and Luca Marini have had mostly mid-to-lower pack results this year, which are not satisfactory

With championship aspirations seemingly distant and podium finishes looking challenging, sponsors like Repsol may question the effectiveness of their branding strategy and explore alternative marketing approaches. While the end of this 30-year partnership might disappoint fans, a potential reunion could arise if Honda bounces back to glory in the coming years.

Depending on Honda’s future success, a renewed partnership might be on the cards