Marini is set to be confirmed as Marquez’s replacement at Repsol Honda for nᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚext year, when the eight-time champion heads t♏o Gresini Ducati.

Hon💛da’s search for a new rider was convoluted and hinge🐈d on the length of the deal they were willing to offer.

Marini is expected to pen a two-year deal which could now limit Honda’s options for the 🌠2025 season when Mar🃏quez, Fabio Quartararo, Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin are among the riders who will become free agents.

• Luca Marini shares wish to developღ a title-winning bike as Honda move loom🎶s

“The natural step, putting ever🅘ything on the tableꦚ, is a rider who does not have a contract,” Marquez told about his replacement.

“You take him for a year and then, by 2025, you have both bikes free.&nbs🍌p;

“You see how the project is a💛nd yꦆou can go for a Bagnaia, Martin, Pedro Acosta or Marquez, it doesn't matter. 

“You can really 𒊎go for any rider 💃if you have a project to win. 

“It sounds like it will be a two-year contract with Marini, so it surprises me a little, but they🅠 will have their reasons. Youও would have to ask them that.”

Miguel Oliveira reportedly rejecteꦑd Hoꦫnda’s advances when he was only offered a one-year deal.

And a two-year deal was reportedly the decisive factor for Marini, who would not have ಞleft VR46 💎for anything less.

But🧸 the intriguing question now arises of how Honda will approach the conclusion to next year, when the most successful riders on the grid become free𒅌 agents but the Japanese manufacturer is already committed to Marini for a second season.