vr is definitely a super salesman.
I'd go further and say the Honda has been a pos since Stoner was there. Who other than Casey and Marc have had anything other than one of random successful races?
If I put my tinfoil hat on and ask myself why an organization that allowed Honda to have a third bike for Dovi and got rid of the rookie rule for Marquez won't allow KTM to have another bike I'd say its to push Pedro Acosta to another manufacturer that starts with D and ends with ucati.
All politics. There is no reason for it. Well... they have a reason, but they just won't make it public. And it's not about having to pay Satellite Team money.
While I agree the situation is KTM's own doing, this is not really the issue here. There are multiple ways Dorna could have allowed them additional slots on the grid, but they just refuse everything. Definitely some under handed ..... going on.
Look to team custard clown and a future change of manufacturer. The cookies have been laid all along.
Let's be honest, Honda has rarely ever listened to rider input when it came to developing the bike. They've always been the most prideful of the Grand Prix manufacturers, often designing killing machines that needed generational talent to win with. Problem is that at least they were capable to build fast bikes in the past, if only in the hands of a special rider like Doohan, Casey or Marc, but now they've lost the ability; I know Marc is not worse than his brother, 19th place in practice is not indicative of his actual current skill, even if slightly diminished after the injuries. If Honda can't build a non-embarrassing bike for 2024, they risk the possibility of every single decent rider avoiding them like the pest. Amazing that the Repsol lineup for 2025 could look like Nakagami-Lecuona, how the mighty have fallen.
I mean they already are. All their riders want to leave other than Naka. The only rider that signed is someone with no other options.
I'm not conspiracy-minded, but Occam's Razor and all, would lead one to think: A. Who stands to lose the most if KTM were allowed another rider?, and B: Who presently, has the biggest influence with Dorna? Do the math.
www.speedweek.com
Last I heard was it comes down to whether Pol or Augusto perform better in the next races.
I do like the guy so I'm happy he's sticking around. Has he been impressive this year? Not in the slightest.
Sounds logical.
I have a feeling that Honda will do something unexpected and get back in the hunt sooner than expected, there are a lot of moving parts and things going on behind the scenes that will take time of course, but Honda is a big and talented company that can do it when it puts it's mind to it !
I don't see this because Dani Pedrosa has done more to help KTM than anybody. I don't think they are willing to lose him in that role.
