Tom Sykes, Chaz Davies eyeing up Honda for 2022 WorldSBK season
Tom Sykes and Chaz Davies make their pitch for the 2022 WorldSBK Honda CBR1000RR-R seat vacated by Ducati-bound Alvaro Bautista
Both Tom Sykes and Chaz Davies have thrown their hat into the ring to assume at least one of the available seats at HRC Honda for the 2022 WorldSBK Championship.
The pair have been closely linked to the factory outfit since it was confirmed Alvaro Bautista would be exiting Honda after two seasons in favour of a return to the Ducati team he made his WorldSBK debut with in 2019.
Of the pair, Sykes is considered to be the front runner for the ride after being eased out of the BMW factory squad in favour of Scott Redding, who in turn has made way for Bautista at Ducati.
Though BMW has intimated it would be keen to retain Sykes in a deal that would see him join Jonas Folger on a second Bonovo MGM M 1000 RR, the 2013 WorldSBK Champion admits Honda presents a tempting prospect.
“It’s been a talking point and I think everybody now understands the situation and shares their own views on it. I think now that there’s nothing can be done for me, and I just want to continue with what I enjoy, which is pushing myself and getting the most from me and the team.”
“Obviously, definitely. Going into a little bit of detail, of course the project would be of big interest. Everybody knows HRC as a brand very well, and it is a project with a lot of potential, and I think that my experience and speed would work well there. We will see but like I said, for now, we’ve got a job to do.”
Davies, meanwhile, also believes Honda would represent a positive step for him after what has been a tough, injury-hampered campaign on the Go Eleven Ducati. However, he is less confident about his chances of landing the seat.
“No further on with regards to 2022, obviously I’ve got my ears open for potential opportunities but I’m not going to go rushing into anything. I’m not sure on the rumours, there’s rumours and then there’s reality.
“To be honest I think Honda have their strategy in mind with who they’d like to put on the bike and I’m not sure I’m at the front of the queue. I’m not sure it’d be a realistic option but never say never.”
As it stands, Honda has one seat available with Leon Haslam yet to be confirmed on the second of the CBR1000RR-R's
