With the formal unveiling of their 2024 MotoGP satellite Honda motorcycles, Johann Zarco and Takaaki Nakagami has revealed their new looks for season. The 2024 MotoGP campaign will see LCR continuing their long-standing practice of using two different liveries. Two of their Honda R213Vs will be decked out in Castrol colours, one representing the legendary oil firm, and Idemitsu, a Japanese petroleum giant, on the other. Along with Zarco's official début in the team's 2024 attire, the first bike, featuring the famous Castrol design of green, white, and red, was unveiled. The second bike, which Nakagami would pilot with support from Idemitsu, was revealed later the same day during an online presentation. Both liveries have undergone notable changes, with Zarco's bike now sporting a unique stripe design.
As we take a look back at the 2023 MotoGP season, it is worth noting that Alex Rins's sensational performance at Austin's Circuit of the Americas gave Honda its only MotoGP victory. But since Franco Morbidelli's departure, Rins has filled Franco's shoes in the factory Yamaha squad. After three fruitful years with Ducati, Zarco moves over to the Honda squad and takes Rins's position at LCR. With a new roster of skilled riders and updated bike graphics, the squad is ready for a thrilling 2024 season.
MotoGP: Johann Zarco
Johann Zarco eventually broke his MotoGP winless streak at Phillip Island, finishing in fifth place overall in the world championship. Notable for his three races with LCR Honda in 2019, the 33-year-old rider had previously been with Tech3 Yamaha, Red Bull KTM, Avintia, and Pramac Ducati. His return to LCR brings him in command of the Castrol bike, which raced Alex Rins to an unexpected victory at COTA last season.
Honda now has the enormous challenge of turning the RC213V into a championship-winning machine following Marquez's departure. The importance of Zarco's position in the R&D department grows, which might have an impact on Honda's future and garner LCR's backing.
Zarco is one of only three riders who have signed contracts through 2025, having signed a two-year deal with HRC. Although Zarco finished 16th in the Sepang test, he showed that he was competitive by keeping his time within 1.3 seconds of the top scorers.
MotoGP: Takaaki Nakagami
Takaaki Nakagami, a 32-year-old Japanese rider, has been a part of HRC since Honda's record-breaking 2019 season with Marc Marquez. He has seen the team go from the top to where it is now, struggling at the bottom of the table. During this difficult time, there will be seasons without wins in 2020 and 2022.
Among the full-time Honda riders, Nakagami was the only one who remained uninjured last season. Optimistically, he feels like HRC is making a turn for the better, and he notes that the RC213V is making strides, particularly with the most recent engine upgrades and better qualifying results. Nakagami is still hopeful about the team's chances of making a comeback in the next MotoGP season, despite the recent setbacks.
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