Honda Commit to MotoGP Program, Set to Leave Other Series

Despite having quit the Formula 1 championship in December last year – while still struggling to find a buyer of their F1 operations – Honda reaffirmed their complete support for their MotoGP operations. The Japanese manufacturer therefore ended speculations that they are planning to leave the Queen Class due to the economic downturn.

In an interview for news agency Reuters, Honda spokesman Akemi Ando revealed that the Japanese manufacturer has every intention of continuing their MotoGP programme, despite announcing pulling out of the Suzuka 8-hour endurance event later this year. Honda won't be present as a works team at the Japanese event due to economic reasons, preferring to focus solely on their MotoGP operations for 2009.

That will mean, however, that Honda is looking at the possibility of leaving other motorcycle series, such as the World Superbike or certain endurance races. A decision on the matter will be officially announced soon enough.

“We have not formally decided yet but we have been looking into the option of pulling out. It is something we have been thinking about for a while since we pulled out of Formula One. We have no plans to leave MotoGP,” said Ando.

As for the 8-hour of Suzuka race, Ando insisted Honda will not miss the event, only it will be present through customers bikes.

“It's not strictly accurate to say Honda are pulling out of the Eight-Hour race. It is true that our works teams will not take part. But Honda supplies bikes and technical support to many of the teams and 60 percent of the bikes on the grid will still be Honda bikes,” added the Honda spokesman.