Honda announced last week that it had reached a mutual agreement with eight-time world champion Marquez to terminate his current contract at the end of the 2023 season.
Marquez will move to Gresini Ducati, which was announced on Thursday morning, to try to once again to fight at the front of the field having struggled immensely on the uncompetitive Honda this season.
On Tuesday, Autosport revealed that former KTM rider, current RNF Aprilia runner and five-time grand prix winner Miguel Oliveira is Honda’s preferred option to replace Marquez.
Commenting on this on Thursday ahead of the Indonesian Grand Prix – which Oliveira won last year – he said: “I think this season we have seen a lot of unprecedented things.
“We’ve seen riders sent home [who had signed] with contracts, we’ve seen riders breaking contracts and go to other places.
“So, anything is possible. It’s true that it’s a pleasure to be considered by another manufacturer as big as Honda, especially when it’s a factory seat on offer. That’s it.
Source: Autosport