MotoGP Australia: Honda HRC left with no riders as Marini is unfit
The newsroomUpdated on October 24, 20263 minAt the Australian MotoGP in Phillip Island, Luca Marini has been declared unfit: with Joan Mir absent, Honda HRC has no factory rider left this weekend.
Key point
Declared unfit on Saturday morning after a medical exam, Luca Marini leaves Honda HRC without a single factory rider for the rest of the Australian Grand Prix.
At the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix at Phillip Island, Honda HRC no longer has a single factory rider on track. Luca Marini, declared unfit on Saturday morning after a medical exam, joins Joan Mir on the sidelines: the Japanese manufacturer has no factory bike left for the rest of the weekend.
Marini stopped by a virus
Marini has a viral infection. According to MotoGP's chief medical officer, Dr Angel Charte, he had a high fever for three to four days, followed by muscle weakness over the last 48 to 72 hours.
How his weekend unfolded:
- in FP1 he completed only two flying laps and finished 6.048s behind the fastest rider, Marc Márquez;
- he missed Friday afternoon's session, the pre-qualifying one;
- Saturday morning's medical exam declared him unfit for the rest of the Grand Prix.
His condition will be reassessed at the next round, in Malaysia, at Sepang.
Mir absent since Misano, no replacement
Joan Mir has been absent since Misano because of persistent health problems. Honda chose not to replace him at Phillip Island: his factory bike stays in the garage.
The back-up options are unavailable too:
- Takaaki Nakagami was injured during a wildcard at Motegi;
- Aleix Espargaró is out after surgery linked to compartment syndrome in his arm.
According to Paddock-GP, the four riders tied to the official programme are therefore all sidelined at the same time.
What it means for Honda
Without a factory rider, Honda cannot post any works result this weekend and loses a weekend of data collection. The LCR-entered Hondas keep racing, but that does not fully replace the work HRC had planned, Paddock-GP points out.
The manufacturer must now wait for Sepang to hope for its riders' return.
The essentials
- rider declared unfit: Luca Marini, on Saturday morning, after a medical exam;
- cause: a viral infection, with three to four days of high fever;
- consequence: no official Honda HRC rider on track at Phillip Island;
- next date: Sepang, in Malaysia, where Marini's condition will be reassessed.
The Australian weekend therefore carries on without a Honda factory bike.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Honda HRC have no rider at the Australian GP?
Luca Marini was declared unfit on Saturday morning because of a virus, Joan Mir has been absent since Misano and Honda did not replace him at Phillip Island.
When could Luca Marini return?
His condition will be reassessed at the next round, in Malaysia, at Sepang.
Are the LCR Hondas racing at Phillip Island?
Yes, the LCR-entered Hondas keep racing, but that does not fully replace the work HRC had planned.
Sources
- Crash.net — Luca Marini declared unfit, HRC without factory riders
- Paddock-GP — Honda HRC has no riders left, Marini declared unfit
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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