Repsol set for world championship return after Honda MotoGP split

Repsol is preparing to make its return to the MotoGP world championship next season as the exclusive lubricant supplier for the Moto2 and Moto3 classes, Autosport has learned.

In May 2024, Autosport revealed that the Spanish energy company would not renew its long-standing partnership with the factory Honda MotoGP team. The collaboration began in 1995, spearheaded by Mick Doohan and Alex Criville, and over the course of nearly three decades produced an extraordinary record: 15 world titles, 183 victories and 455 podiums.

Repsol confirmed its departure more than three months later, issuing a brief statement during the San Marino Grand Prix – a low-profile end to what had been the most enduring and successful sponsorship in the series’ history. By the 2024 season, the partnership had already lost visibility following Marc Marquez’s move to Gresini.

However, it now appears that Repsol’s absence from the paddock will be short-lived. The brand is expected to return to the championship in 2026, though not alongside Honda – which quickly partnered with Castrol to cover its fuel and lubricant needs – and not in MotoGP itself. Instead, Repsol will take on a global role as the sole lubricant supplier for the intermediate and lightweight categories.

Unlike MotoGP, where each team can freely select its own fuel and oil suppliers, the Moto2 and Moto3 classes operate under a unified technical framework. In recent years, Liqui Moly has been the exclusive lubricant partner, with a contract initially extended through the end of 2027. However, the German company and Dorna Sports, MotoGP’s commercial rights holder, have agreed to terminate their deal two years ahead of schedule.

The MotoGP world championship is currently at a pivotal juncture – both on the sporting and commercial fronts. Sponsorship strategy, in particular, will be crucial as the series moves into a new era following the acquisition of Dorna Sports by Liberty Media, the same company that owns Formula 1.

“Both Liberty and we understand that the same strategy doesn’t necessarily work twice – it has to be unique to our sport,” explained Dan Rossomondo, Dorna’s chief commercial officer, in an interview with BlackBook Motorsport earlier this year.

“The people at Liberty are very sharp; they know they’ve got something special and they don’t want to ruin it. I think they’ll take the time to truly understand the business and who we are. I don’t think they’ll try to over-commercialise the sport. They see certain synergies with Formula 1, but the approach can’t be identical.”

So far, Liberty Media’s executives have been closely observing and analysing MotoGP’s operations. Groups of company representatives – including auditors from Ernst & Young – were seen conducting interviews during the races at Barcelona and Misano.

Notably, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali attended the San Marino Grand Prix, while Derek Chang, Liberty’s President and CEO, visited Motegi, marking his first hands-on experience inside the two-wheel championship’s paddock.

While Liberty’s main focus remains on MotoGP’s premier class, news of Repsol’s return serves as an encouraging sign for the entire championship.

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– The Autosport.com Team