‘I did one-year contracts because Honda were more committed to win than others’
Mick Doohan tells Honda to change "mind-set"

Mick Doohan has reflected on his glory days with Honda - an✤d advised how they can return to the t🉐op of MotoGP.
The Australian legend won five 50♉0cc championships and is approaching the 30-year anniversary of his first, in 1994.
Doohan rode a Honda for the du🐲ration of his heyday but the Japanese brand has fallen on tough times𓃲 more recently.
“I was with Honda for a long while. Back when I competed, I stayed with ൩Hoꦰnda,” Doohan said.
“I only di꧑d one-year contracts because they were more committed to win 💙than the other manufacturers were, as far as technical personnel and the whole support.
“That’s why I remained there.
“So it’s disappointing to f꧃ind them in the position at the moment.
“I personally believe the pandemic put the Japanese manufacture🀅r back a step, while the European manufacturers continued to develop, whether it be electronically or in other areas.
“They will come back but they need a change o𒀰f mind🌟-set.
“Yamaha seem to be taking good steps towards achieving this for nꦉext year, and I hope Honda will continue down that path as well.
“It’s good to😼 have multiple brands competing for the champ🧜ionship.”
Doohan re♈membered his first title: “30 years ago was a long time ago. My competition years seem a lifetime ago…
“I hav💟e s𒁏o many fond memories. I enjoyed racing, the work, the commitment.
“To realise [😼the dream] was a relief. I’d been close in a couple of years. Then had injuries and technical issues.
“I’d been runner-🦋u♏p a couple of times so to win was a relief.
“But then I knew the work begun because I didn’t w🙈an✨t to win only one championship.”
Today, Honda are a long way from crowning 🌳another world champion.
Marc Ma🤪rquez exited a year ago due to their lack of competitiveness and they remain rooted to the back of the grid.
But, they have signed the retiring Aprilia racer Aleix Es♔pargaro as a test rider for 2025 to develop their bike.
Romano Albesiano will also swap Aprilia for Honda. The well-respected Albesiano will be𓃲come HRC technical director next season.
“Having Aleix 🐽as a test rider ♛is a good move,” Doohan said.
“They need somebody who is quick and who has an understanding of what the bike requires to go forward.๊”

James was a sports journalist at Sky Sp⭕orts for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.