Honda extends Moto2 engine supply deal until 2018

The Moto2 world championship will be Honda-powered until the end of 2018 at least after HRC signed an extended three-year deal to be exclusive engine supplier to the intermediate class.

Honda has supplied a 600cc four-cylinder motor based on its CBR600RR engine since the inaugural Moto2 world championship in 2010 when the four-stroke series replaced the two-stroke 250GP class.

Dorna and Honda today confirmed that its agreement for Moto2 will continue until 2018, while the engines will continue to be prepared and maintained by the Motorland Aragon-based ExternPro.

Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta said: “Moto2™ has been a success from the start, and just continues to get better! Honda has been our sole engine supplier since the inaugural race in 2010 and I am extremely pleased that we will continue to use its machinery for the next three years. The Honda engine has not only proved an exciting addition to the paddock, but has also been a technically very reliable asset, which is extremely important in motorsports. I would also like to welcome ExternPro on board, who have so far done a very good job during pre-season testing, and will no doubt continue to do so throughout the next three seasons.”

Shuhei Nakamoto, HRC Executive Vice-President added: “The Moto2 category continues to advance and prepare riders for the premier class and Honda are very happy to support this class for a further 3 years. Together with ExternPro and Dorna we will continue to work hard to provide the best equipment for this class”.

Spaniard Tito Rabat won this year’s Moto2 title with seven wins and he will be the first rider in its short history to defend the crown, having opted to remain in the intermediate category for 2015.