Stefan Bradl, 2011 Moto2 world champion on Kalex, took over the role of Honda MotoGP test rider following his season with Honda in the 2017 World SBK championship, when he was Nicky Hayden’s teammate in the ten Kate HRC Honda Europe team.
The German, who won the Moto2 title in 2011 by beating Marc Márquez and achieved 53 top ten finishes in the “premier class”, he is now expected to sign another two-year contract with HRC for 2025 and 2026. But ahead of the 2024 season there have been some personal changes at the top of the HRC MotoGP management.
Taichi Honda replaced Kuwata and Shin Sato took Kokubu’s place. They decided to strengthen HRC by hiring GP winner and Aprilia star Aleix Espargaró as a test rider for 2025. What will this deal change for 7-time GP winner Stefan Bradl (34), who placed second at the Laguna Seca MotoGP event in 2013?
Stefan, what went through your mind when you heard that HRC was looking for another test rider for MotoGP? Are you worried about your future?
“I haven’t had sleepless nights. But it’s obvious that some thoughts go through your head at a time when there are changes at the top of the HRC and some changes need to be made because the results leave a lot to be desired. In recent years we have tried many new parts and components, but we were unable to improve the performance of our bike. I always had confirmation from HRC and the testing team that my work was appreciated not only by the other Honda riders, but also by all technicians who have a lot of experience.The technicians and riders have always welcomed my feedback and have never complained about any failures or mistakes on my part.But you never know what happens in a big company like Honda and what they will decide in the end. It was already clear at the beginning of the year that they were looking for a second test driver. I was curious what this would mean for my position at HRC. But throughout I always felt a lot of support and trust from everyone involved.”
Was the agreement with Aleix Espargaró already close enough at the end of April?
“Yes, at the Jerez GP the rumors started to get stronger. A few weeks after his arrival it became quite concrete. I asked the HRC management what this change would mean for me and asked for a meeting which was held immediately. We reached very quickly a new verbal agreement for another two years for me while I had been working closely with Kuwata for many years, the new managers obviously wanted to get to know me before making a decision I am a “Honda man” and always have been racing for HRC for three years, from 2012 to 2014, with LCR Honda after moving from Moto2 and now. I am under contract with HRC for the eighth consecutive year. Even at a time when Honda is not achieving the desired results, I still want to give my contribution of work and experience with this bike that I have been riding for 11 years now. I worked as hard as I could to help Honda reach a better level in MotoGP.”
In recent years, have you signed a new test driver contract in July or August?
“It’s true. I haven’t signed the new contract yet. But the new contract is in progress. I’m sure I will be an HRC test driver for another two years. There’s no problem.”
Isn’t Aleix Espargaró’s arrival a sign of a lack of confidence in his abilities?
“No, not at all. Honda shows that it has a lot of faith in me, the mutual feeling leaves nothing to be desired”.
Do you think HRC has seen in KTM that managing two top-level test riders like Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaró can make a big difference?
“Yes. We must not forget that my program has reached a limit in 2023 and 2024. Why cWith the new concessions we can test on every track and my wild cards have gone from two or three per season to six per year. Furthermore, I have had to replace injured riders such as Morbidelli, Marc Márquez, Cal Crutchlow, Jorge Lorenzo, Alex Rins and Joan Mir almost 50 times in the last five and a half years. Plus, we always have lots of new parts to test. It became too much work for a single test driver. Don’t forget the risk of injury. If that were to happen one day, we would be in real trouble.
It wouldn’t be easy to find a replacement test rider of a certain level and with sufficient experience in MotoGP.”
You have already made two wild cards in Jerez and Barcelona and are expected to appear in four more GPs in 2024. Is this the plan?
“Yes, at Sachsenring, Red Bull Ring, Misano and Valencia. At the end of June we will do tests in Valencia. We have no restrictions on testing, except that I cannot race on a GP track in the previous two weeks the race if I have a wild card for this Grand Prix”.
