Its time to save the seat for Nakagami in MotoGP

The Japanese rider’s contract expires in 2022, and his spot is now being threatened by young Moto2 sensation Ai Ogura.

Since stepping up to Moto2 in 2021 with Honda Team Asia, Ogura has three podiums and is now second in the standings.

If Honda and LCR decide to part ways at the end of 2022, Nakagami’s Idemitsu-backed side of the LCR garage is especially built up for a Japanese rider, with Ogura – whose Moto2 squad is also sponsored by Idemitsu – the sole plausible contender to replace him.

 

In four years in MotoGP with LCR and Honda, Nakagami has never finished on the podium and has only finished fourth three times.

 

When asked by Motorsport.com if the start of the European season this weekend in Portugal brought pressure to him to perform for the sake of his future, he said, “To be honest, I had pressure from Qatar.”

 

“However, the last four races — Qatar, Indonesia, Argentina, and America – were not the finest. In Qatar, there was only one top ten finish.

 

“I wasn’t expecting those poor outcomes.” Now that I’ve returned from Portimao and Jerez, those two races are critical in regaining my confidence. Then I must demonstrate to the team and HRC that I am capable and quick.

 

“Also, I don’t want to be fighting for top 10,” Nakagami continued. At the very least, we can compete for the top five or six spots.

 

“This is the absolute minimum.” Then, if we have the opportunity or extra confidence, we can compete for the podium. As a result, the first step is to restore that potential, because the new bike has potential.

 

“As a result, you must remain competitive throughout the weekend and make no mistakes.”

 

Alex Marquez, Nakagami’s LCR teammate, is out of contract with Honda at the end of 2022.