Pol Espargaro: Marc Marquez’s bike is going to Nakagami

Eight time world champion Marquez, who stepped back from the MotoGP season after Sunday’s Mugello round to undergo further arm surgery, had been evaluating the new parts to try and address turning difficulties and temperature sensitivity with the RCV.

With Marquez absent, Espargaro wanted to inherit the latest developments for Barcelona, but will instead continue with his standard machine.

“Marc’s bike is going to go to Taka this weekend. So my target is to continue with the current bike I had [since] Qatar and try to be as fast as possible,” Espargaro said. “So related to the development of the bike, I'm not going to be the guy in charge of doing [that] this weekend. For the Monday [test] I don't know.”

Espargaro, who took Honda’s only podium of the season so far in the Qatar opener, confirmed he had asked for Marquez’s bike and “100%” wanted to try the new parts.

“I like to try new stuff on the bike,” he explained. “To improve the situation, there is just one way to do it, by trying new stuff to improve the bike and improve the results.

“If you do not try anything, you do not improve. This is quite clear, but you know even like that I'm going to keep pushing like I always have been and let's see if this weekend something changes and we can be faster.

“For sure, I asked for the best things, for the new things and the last evolution of the bike. But I'm not the guy who chooses if I'm going to have it or not. I'm a guy that gets paid to ride the bike and be as fast as possible and is what I'm going to try to do this weekend.”

Nakagami: Like 2020, Honda is supporting us more

Nakagami didn’t talk of specific new hardware but did confirm he will have extra support from HRC this weekend, in a similar way to 2020, when Marquez initially broke his right arm.

“Marc is out and it looks [like] Honda is trying to more support our side. I think more people will come [to LCR] during the session or during the weekend,” Nakagami said. “So looks like a 2020 style.

“I still need to talk, but the impression is they want to help in our side. For the development and for the result. So looks positive for us. Of course there are still many things I need to understand for what HRC is thinking but let's see tomorrow or this weekend.

“But definitely, more help makes it easier for us. Because we are a satellite team, not a factory team. So even one or two extra people helps a lot. So hopefully everything goes well.

“My expectation this weekend is to keep continuing to develop the bike, or improve the bike. And hopefully we can fight for the podium, or for at least top five or top six.”

The Japanese - who revelled in the extra HRC support during 2020, securing two career-best fourth places, a pole position and three other front row starts - added:

“The key point here [in Barcelona] is tyre management, because the gap from the fastest lap of the race and the [slowest] is massive.

“So we need to develop the electronic side to make more consistency. But it looks like more electronic guys will come our box to help about this.

“Then there are the hot conditions, because to be honest the last few races a hot condition for our bike is really tough.

“Cool conditions are pretty good but then in the hot conditions, the feeling of the bike is totally different. No grip in the rear, definitely really bad.

“For the riders it was really confusing, because the same bike, but different feelings. So we need to develop these kind of things and hopefully be competitive in morning and also afternoon sessions.”

Marc Marquez remains the only rider with a Honda MotoGP contract for 2023, with Nakagami hoping to hear a decision on his future by the end of this month.

“As soon as possible. I want to know maybe here, or at the latest Sachsenring or Assen,” he said.

Espargaro and Nakagami are currently 12th and 13th in the world championship standings, just two points apart.

Nakagami is thought to be facing pressure for his seat from the likes of countryman and Moto2 race winner Ai Ogura, while Espargaro is being linked with a return to KTM amid rumours Joan Mir could be picked up by HRC after Suzuki's shock exit.

Stefan Bradl: ‘Some test items this weekend’

Meanwhile, HRC test rider Stefan Bradl has again been called up to replace Marquez until he is fit to return.

“I will do some races. I don’t know how many, it depends on Marc’s situation. I have no idea and let’s see what happens,” said the German. “But I know I'm going to do some races, so I can build up my speed, trying to perform better and better, race by race.

“The plan is racing and doing testing as well, I did this already in 2020, so it’ll be a busy summer. I’m happy that Honda is giving me this trust to do all these jobs.

“The bike doesn’t have the potential we want so there is a lot of work going on. It’s even more difficult without Marc. Let’s do our best and see how we much we can progress.

“I will take the bike from Marc but with some slight adjustments, trying some parts that we have been trying with the test team 2.5 weeks ago in Jerez. So we’ll take over already some test items into the race weekend.

“Having the race weekend and then a test on Monday, where we will also have more new parts to try, is a good opportunity.”