Two-time MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez has signed a new two-year contract with Honda that ensures he will remain with the Japanese manufacturer until the end of 2018.
Marquez made his MotoGP debut with Honda back in 2013, winning the championship in his rookie season before following it up with another title in 2014.
The Spaniard long-stated that he wanted to remain with Honda for the foreseeable future despite a number of other rider moves for 2017 making other seats available.
On Thursday, Honda announced that it had agreed a new deal with Marquez, locking him in for another two seasons.
“I’m very happy to announce this renewal with HRC, especially coinciding with Grand Prix of Catalunya, my home GP, where I have some really good memories,” Marquez said.
“HRC and I have a very strong relationship, and I’ve always wanted to continue being a part of the Repsol Honda Team. In three and a half years together, we’ve enjoyed some unbelievable moments, with great victories and two world titles, as well as a few challenging moments that I believe are making us stronger.
“We’re working very hard this year to regain the title. It’s a great honor to be a part of the Honda family, and I’m glad to remain with this special group of people for another two seasons.”
Honda Racing Corporation vice-president Shuhei Nakamoto added: “We’re honored to have reached an agreement with Marc for two more years. There’s no doubt that he is the present and future of MotoGP.
“We know him well and he knows us well, and we both wanted to continue together; for this reason, we felt no rush for this renewal.
“Marc has grown a lot during almost four years with HRC, and now he’s an even more complete rider than in 2014, when he won 10 races in a row.
“Although he’s still very young, we already have a long relationship together, and we know that Marc’s experience is very important for helping our engineers to develop our bike.”