Crimson Bull has sponsored the works Honda group for the reason that 2006 season, when it ran Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa.
However the Austrian firm’s logos solely appeared on the bike’s livery in 2015, two years after Marquez made his debut in MotoGP and received the title in his rookie season.
Crimson Bull’s logos have featured on all of Repsol Honda’s bikes since, however the power drink model’s contract with the Japanese maker included a clause that allowed it to interrupt the deal ought to Marquez depart the group.
The six-time MotoGP champion introduced final month that he’ll half methods with Honda – with which he had been since his debut within the sequence in 2013 – on the finish of the 2023 season to trip for Ducati on the Gresini group.
Following Marquez’s resolution, it’s understood that Crimson Bull has communicated to Honda that it’ll finish its partnership this yr.
The deal between the drinks firm and Honda not solely stipulated that it may very well be terminated within the occasion of Honda shedding the Spanish rider, but additionally that the works Honda group wouldn’t be allowed to hold any promoting from one other power drink model till 2025.
A Honda supply confirmed to Motorsport.com that Crimson Bull would implement the clause releasing it from sponsoring the group in 2024, whereas Honda may also be forbidden to hold promoting from any Crimson Bull competitor till the tip of subsequent yr.
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Staff
Along with Crimson Bull’s departure, which in accordance with experiences might grow to be a sponsor of the Gresini group since it’s Marquez’s private backer, Honda sources mentioned that the contribution from different companions may very well be lowered.
For the second, every thing appears to point that Repsol will proceed with Honda for an additional yr and can fulfil the settlement that hyperlinks the Spanish oil firm till the tip of 2024, as stipulated.
Nonetheless, subsequent season may very well be Repsol’s final as Honda’s predominant sponsor after 30 years of uninterrupted partnership.
For Honda, shedding Crimson Bull’s sponsorship and, presumably decreasing the contribution from different manufacturers, is not going to imply an insurmountable drawback within the quick time period as it’s going to save 20 million euros by not paying Marquez’s wages in 2024.
This determine will compensate for these losses and that’s hoped will assist the short-term improvement of the Tokyo producer’s bike.
