Ducati rider Luca Marini, of Italy, celebrates on the rostrum finish of the Qatari MotoGP Grand Prix on the Lusail International Circuit in Lusail, Qatar, on November 19, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AP
Honda introduced on Monday it had signed Italian Luca Marini, the half-brother of MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi, to a two-year cope with its manufacturing facility workforce.
Marini, 26, will take over from Marc Marquez, the six-time world champion who’s leaving Honda a 12 months early to be a part of his brother at Ducati satellite tv for pc workforce Gresini Racing.
After making his MotoGP debut in 2021, Marini earned his first two podium finishes this season — in the United States and Qatar — as he got here eighth total using for VR46, the Ducati satellite tv for pc workforce owned by Rossi.
He additionally completed in the highest three in 4 dash races and twice took pole place.
Marini will get a primary outing on his new Japanese bike on the post-season checks in Valencia on Tuesday.
He will pair up at Honda with 2020 world champion Joan Mir, who endured a disastrous previous season in which he completed twenty second after scoring solely 26 factors.
Honda completed backside of the constructors’ standings this season, simply as they did in 2022.
Frenchman Johann Zarco, who rode for Ducati-Pramac the previous three seasons, may also be a part of Honda in 2024 after signing a two-year cope with its LCR satellite tv for pc workforce.
Marini’s spot in the VR46 storage will likely be stuffed by compatriot Fabio Di Giannantonio, who has penned a one-year contract.
Di Giannantonio discovered himself with out a experience for 2024 after final month’s announcement that Marquez was shifting to Gresini.
The 25-year-old Di Giannantonio ended the season strongly, claiming third place in Australia after which securing his first MotoGP victory in Qatar.
