Takaaki Nakagami’s MotoGP career is coming to an end after five years in the premier class. Alex Rins has already signed with LCR-Honda for the 2023 MotoGP season. Second place is expected to go to Ai Ogura, who is currently just one point away from the championship lead in Moto2.
Nakagami was last linked with the role of Honda MotoGP test rider. But a change to the Superbike World Championship was also discussed.
For Honda team manager Leon Camier, however, Takaaki Nakagami is not on the wish list. “No, not at the moment,” Camier remarked in an exclusive interview with “Motorsport-Total.com” as part of the WSBK event in Most.
“There will soon be an announcement for the 2023 drivers,” Camier says and makes it clear that he would like to work with Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge again next year: “I would be very happy if we could continue with both drivers .”
Iker Lecuona doesn’t have to hide behind Álvaro Bautista
After two mixed years with Álvaro Bautista and Leon Haslam, Honda risked a complete fresh start this year with two rookies moving from the Grand Prix paddock to the World Superbike Championship. The poker has worked so far, as Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge have had good results.
Team manager Leon Camier is convinced that Iker Lecuona doesn’t have to hide in direct comparison with predecessor Álvaro Bautista: “Iker drives differently. There were minimal changes to the tires compared to last year. But the bottom line is that we’re faster everywhere.”
Leon Camier raves about Iker Lecuona’s driving technique
Already in MotoGP, Iker Lecuona attracted attention with his aggressive driving style. “Iker’s riding technique is really good. The way he handles the rear brake is incredible – especially when you consider that he only uses his foot to operate the rear brake. We understood from him that the rear brake is quite important on our bike.” , Camier hints.
“All in all, his driving style is really impressive. He finds his rhythm very quickly. His natural talent is incredible,” ex-racer Camier marvels. But team-mate Xavi Vierger also impresses the Honda team manager, even if the results on paper are not as good as those of Iker Lecuona.
Xavi Vierge has yet to show his potential
“It looks like Iker will eclipse Xavi this year, but that’s not the reality,” notes Camier. “Xavi had two injuries. At Misano he broke his wrist. He had six fractures. In the Superpole race at Misano he performed incredibly well.”
“Before the start of the season, Xavi broke two ribs,” recalls Camier. “He drove really impressively in Aragon, despite having two broken ribs. Also in Assen, changing direction was very difficult for him. We saw that when we analyzed the data. He was struggling a lot when changing direction. If he had a normal weekend without incident then he’s really fast too.”
In the championship, both Honda rookies are currently in the top 10. Iker Lecuona is sixth in the championship and only has 18 points less than fourth in the championship. Xavi Vierge came to Most as tenth in the World Championship. “Both drivers are really impressive,” commented Honda team manager Leon Camier, who is committed to ensuring that the two Spaniards continue to drive for the Honda factory team in 2023.