I have a feeling that next year we could see a Repsol team fielded with not one, but two Marquez's. Alex is absolutely dominating Moto2 since the introduction of the Triumph engine (more power, much closer to a GP bike, etc) winning 5 of the last 6 races (and Luthi scoring a DNF), he looks like a world beater. It had been a novelty seeing the brothers win a race in their respective classes on the same weekend, but now it is routine. A new bike is slated for the 2020 grid, bringing all manner of options to the table. Bear with me here... Lorenzo is a disaster on the Honda, I could see him getting sacked or retiring at the end of this season. That leaves a few options. 1) Nakagami moves to the '20 spec Repsol, Alex moves up to the premiere class and gets the '19 LCR, Cal stays on the LCR but gets upgraded to the '20 spec. This is the "cheapest" option for Honda. 2) Nakagami stays put and gets a '20 LCR, Cal moves to the '20 Repsol and Alex gets a '19 LCR. (Least likely, in my opinion). 3) Nakagami and Cal get the '20 spec LCR and Alex gets to share a trailer with Marc on a '20 Repsol. I think option 1 is the most likely and the reason why we have not heard much about Nakagami's plans for 2020. I don't see Cal on a Repsol. I could see Alex on the Repsol next to his brother, purely for the marketing potential. Honda has shown a propensity for exploiting the marketing angle of the race series, why not use it here? What says you?
I had wondered that some time back, but stalled upon hearing the speculation of Alex upon a Ducati, and more recently to the Petronas team. Nevertheless, it would make for good racing because forget about the rule of 'you must beat your team mate', there is nothing more driving than beating your brother! I have previously floated my belief that Nakagami could get the berth - not only for the Japanese connection, but also because he is a constant improver and is far ahead of Lorenzo with his familiarity of the bike. Surely Lorenzo has lost all incentive for this bike now? For him to restore his career, it must be back to Yamaha or a satellite Suzuki if such were available. Cal will remain as is. Forget patriotism. He is too hot and cold for Honda to put on their best equipment.
Lorenzo will not go to Yamaha, in my opinion. you have an aging-out rider in Rossi and potential all over the place for Yamaha. Lorenzo getting a Yamaha seat means that either Rossi retires ahead of schedule or Vinales leaves for Ducati. Maverick would likely stay put, Rossi retires and Quartararo moves to the factory team. Morbidelli needs another season and would likely move up when Vinales (inevitably) moves to a Ducati. I could see the Yamaha factory team being fielded with Quartararo and Morbidelli before I see it with Lorenzo and Rossi/Vinales. Lorenzo is just too old and too much of a princess to ask for that headache.
Can’t see that the two brothers would ever be in the same team - that’d be an absolute nightmare for the team to manage. They’d be knocking each other off or falling off trying to out mental each other every race. So more likely MM is on the repsol and AM goes to Yamaha or Ducati. They’d still be knocking each other off or falling off trying to out mental each other but it will be an easier situation for the respective teams to deal with.
They were talking on the weekend about the possibility of VR retiring at the end of the season, which whilst sad would make sense. Don't see George going back to Yamaha, but then I never saw him going to Honda eithet. I would suspect Yamaha will go with some new blood, but probably not a rookie. I don't see AM going to anyone but Repsol. Spanish rider, Spanish team, MM well in there, and the PR spin of Brothers in a Team. Can't see either of the LCR riders being bumped up, Cal is too old now and whilst HRC may like a Japanese rider I'm not sure Nakagima is the main for it at present.
Another thing to consider is the fact that MM's contract is up next season. If they bring AM into the program, it is another reason for MM to stay. Can you imagine what kind of money Ducati would offer MM were he open to offers? I believe he will stay with Honda, regardless, the rider/machine formula works too well for him to want to go elsewhere...unless he wants to match Rossi and win on 2 manufacturers.
Mr Spy is the all-pleasing forum member. I note he AGREES with me that Nakagima could get the Repsol berth, and then in the next breath he agrees with BSS that Nakagima is not the man for it at present. No wonder my friggin' poll results are distorted!!
There isn't an "I agree with some points, but not all" so i chose to agree. Maybe the admins could add that one, or possibly the "ah, quiet ya dodgy old twat" option?
But what symbol could we have for that option? Just to help @sps170373 whilst he's mulling it over! A little grumpy head of Lorenzo maybe
the one guy or fly in the ointment could be Jack Miller out of contract and open to offers you never know look at the other Aussie Repsol riders in the past
If he were of Stoner caliber, he would have risen to the top by now. I like Miller, but he is a bit too insane for the Honda business model. Having said that, they do keep Cal on board..lol..and he is as crazy as they come.
I’m still trying to find a symbol for the “tinfoil hat” brigade let alone the “liberal I like that but you’re a bigot for thinking that other option” emoji
I also say he's too inconsistent. And I think he could also be a permanent fixture in the Ducati camp.