Nakagami contract delay: 'I want same situation as Cal'

Takaaki Nakagami has shed light on why he is yet to sign a new MotoGP contract with HRC, to remain at LCR Honda in 2020.

The Japanese beat his entire rookie-season points tally within the opening six races of this year, including a new best of fifth place at Mugello, despite being the only RCV rider on a year-old machine.

And that's the sticking point for next year's contract.

With MotoGP closer than ever, Nakagami wants at least equal machinery to team-mate Cal Crutchlow in 2020.

The Englishman (also contracted directly to HRC) gets a third factory bike, albeit often several upgrades behind the official Repsol team of Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo.

"Still no agreement," Nakagami said at Brno on Thursday. "I cannot agree with the conditions. HRC and me are trying to find the best balance.

"They say [a year-old bike again in 2020] and I'm pushing to have, not like a completely factory bike, but at least for me to have the same situation as Cal. This is my opinion."

The only Japanese rider in the MotoGP class added: "It's difficult for marketing in Japan. I understand. But if we need to grow up and we need good results, we need the good bike.

"For sure I will fight until the last moment because most of the riders and teams have a factory bike. I don’t say that the previous year's bike is a bad bike, but most of the bikes are growing up and improving a lot and now you can see only one-second covers 15-16 riders.

"So it means one or two tenths is a big gap; you are able to move five or six positions. So this is very sensitive. I understand the opinion of HRC but I'm pushing my opinion. Let's see."

Nakagami briefly tried Crutchlow's 2019 bike at the Catalunya post-race test, to offer feedback to HRC.

The 27-year-old starts the second half of this season holding twelfth in the world championship, despite being taken out by Valentino Rossi at Assen and then bravely riding injured at Sachsenring.

"The last two races in Assen and Sachsenring were unlucky. I couldn’t get good points. But some races were good, maybe some other races we can improve a little bit. So my feeling [about the season so far] is 50-50. I'm happy, but on the other hand maybe we can improve."

Having now recovered from his Assen injuries, Nakagami is "really looking forward to the second half of the season and these next two races will be very important for the future…"

Nakagami's LCR seat and Jack Miller's Pramac Ducati place are the only rides yet to be decided for 2020.