TOKYO, Japan, September 13, 2022 - Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) announced that it has reached an agreement with Takaaki Nakagami (30 years old, Chiba, Japan), currently competing in the FIM^*1 MotoGP World Championship MotoGP class for the LCR Honda IDEMITSU team, to extend their contract, beginning 2023.

Nakagami begun his Moto2 class career in 2012. From 2014, he raced for IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia as part of Honda’s activities to nurture world-class riders from Asia. In 2018, the Japanese rider moved up to the premier class of MotoGP racing, and finished his debut season in 20th place overall. In 2021 at the Grand Prix of Aragon, he became the first Japanese rider to reach 200 grand prix appearances. This season he is currently^*2 ranked 16th, but has the potential for greater achievements in the future.

FIM: Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme

As of the end of Round 14, San Marino, on September 4, 2022.

“I am very happy to be able to continue riding for LCR Honda IDEMITSU in MotoGP in the 2023 season. I am very grateful for the support that IDEMITSU and Honda have always provided me with. I would also like to thank my fans, who have always been great. This season has not lived up to my expectations, but I will work hard and live up to what everyone expects from me. The Japan Grand Prix will be held for the first time in three years. I am looking forward to ride in front of the Japanese fans, and hearing them cheer for me.”

“I am glad that we can continue to fight in the MotoGP class with Takaaki Nakagami next season. This season has been hard for HRC, but his determination in every single grand prix despite the difficulties has been an inspiration. Honda will continue to support the team, to live up to Nakagami and his fans’ expectations. I would also like to sincerely thank IDEMITSU for all of its support.”