Honda Test Rider Confirms Retirement After Barcelona MotoGP
Stefan Bradl has confirmed he has raced in MotoGP for the last time although he will continue his role as a test rider
Stefan Bradl has called time on his racing career as the Honda stalwart will continue his testing duties alongside the all-new test team of Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami.
Espargaro and Nakagami are expected to work together next season and in doing so will both complete multiple wildcard races. But Bradl, who has so often been the rider to do that for Honda in recent years, is taking a step back after confirming he’s raced in the premier class for the final time.
Bradl began his full-time MotoGP career with Honda in 2012, and aside from a brief spell between Yamaha and Aprilia machinery, Bradl spent almost all his time in the Grand Prix paddock with the Japanese brand.
Honda’s woes over the last few seasons became so bad that eight-time world champion Marc Marquez jumped ship to go and pursue a seventh MotoGP crown with Ducati, winners of 19 Grand Prix out of 20 this season.
Speaking in Barcelona after the finale, Bradl said: “This is my last wildcard here. I am sure that, for the future, they will choose Aleix and Taka. I am fine with that, I’ve told them I am fine. They have more speed.
“We will do six wildcards next season, done by Aleix and Taka. I came here with these thoughts. I communicated it to HRC. I am happy with it. I’ve been here a long time. It’s okay. Nineteen years ago I did my first wildcard. The circle is closing.”
Although Bradl has still been fast at times and remains a vital piece of Honda’s test team, Espargaro and Nakagami will likely be faster than the German given their very recent experience of racing full-time.
Bradl added: “It’s my time to retire as a full-time rider. I am happy to be in a good position to still be able to do MotoGP riding in tests. Honda has three test riders now, which is great. It’s necessary for the development that we need to do.
“I am happy to share all my experience, my knowledge, with HRC and the other riders. As a test rider, I need to do things that normally aren’t easy during a race weekend. From a rider point of view, it’s challenging.
“I know how the people work, how the company works, and they can have success. They are the most successful manufacturer in this sport. They have the knowledge and passion to come back.”
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
