Last Wednesday Honda announced that it had reached a mutual agreement with Marquez to part way at the end of the 2023 season, one year earlier than the eight-time world champion’s contract stipulated.
Marquez has spent 11 years of his life with Honda, winning all six of his MotoGP world titles, 59 grands prix victories and 101 podiums.
Though yet to be confirmed, Marquez will move to Gresini to race a year-old Ducati next season.
As Autosport has learned, current RNF Aprilia and former KTM rider Oliveira has emerged as the favourite to replace him.
First Oliveira will have to negotiate an exit agreement with Aprilia for 2024, having signed a two-year deal to join RNF from this season.
Though Aprilia pays his salary, there is an escape clause in Oliveira’s contract that stipulates that he can leave should a factory team offer him a seat.
This precedent has already been seen in 2023, after Alex Rins – who was signed to Honda to race for LCR for two years – elected midway through this year to join Yamaha for 2024.
Source: Autosport