Honda makes big signing as stale Austrian GP revives concerns

08.21.2023 - By The Race Media Ltd Play

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Race MotoGP Podcast delves into the events of the series' 2023 Austrian Grand Prix weekend, in which the two actual races wound up relatively serene thanks to Pecco Bagnaia's dominance yet the rider market proved as lively as ever.

Stand-in host Glenn Freeman is joined by Simon Patterson and Valentin Khorounzhiy, both fresh off chasing the latest developments in the Red Bull Ring paddock - where Johann Zarco's defection from the Ducati camp to Honda has been confirmed.

They try to make sense of Zarco's move and a related (and perhaps even more surprising) development regarding Marco Bezzecchi's 2024 plans, one which suggests one of the best seats on next year's grid is now suddenly open.

Also discussed is KTM tying down Brad Binder to a contract extension - on a weekend where Binder again proved an indispensable asset, while confusion over other places in the KTM/Gas Gas line-up continued to gather in the background.

Of course, championship leader Bagnaia gets his share of plaudits - and the crew also debate the factors that influenced the quality of the racing on the weekend, as well as the causes of the Saturday multi-bike crash that Jorge Martin was penalised for.