--- title: "MotoGP: Pedrosa out as Lorenzo Joins Marquez at Repsol Honda in 2019" description: "The Honda riders will collectively have seven MotoGP world championships worth of riding experience." date: "2018-06-05" modified: "2018-06-05" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/21336/motogp-pedrosa-out-as-lorenzo-joins-marquez-at-repsol-honda-in-2019" categories: - "News" tags: - "Dani Pedrosa" - "Ducati" - "honda" - "Jorge Lorenzo" - "Marc Márquez" - "MotoGP" - "motorcycle racing" --- # MotoGP: Pedrosa out as Lorenzo Joins Marquez at Repsol Honda in 2019 ![]() *\www.thedrive.com\* Current Ducati rider Jorge Lorenzo has announced that he will be leaving the Italian outfit at the end of the [2018 MotoGP season]() to join fellow countryman and reigning world champion Marc Marquez at Repsol Honda. Many rumors about Lorenzo's whereabouts for 2019 had circled the internet and the MotoGP paddock for a long time, but everything seemed to quiet down a bit over the weekend when Lorenzo scored his maiden win for Ducati at Mugello. Now, it turns out that it was simply too late to change the Spaniard's mind, as a "gentleman's agreement" for a two-year contract had allegedly been struck ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, according to [*Autosport*](). ![message-editor%2F1528230225131-gettyimages-961973544.jpg]() *Dani Pedrosa faces an uncertain future for the 2019 MotoGP season., *GETTY** Of course, this shocking announcement about Lorenzo's signing has also affected another rider quite severely: [Dani Pedrosa](). The 31-year-old rider will have to vacate his seat after 13 years with the factory Honda MotoGP team, and his future is looking rather uncertain given his lackluster performance over the last few seasons—and not to mention the [severe injuries he's collected]() along the way. The Spaniard has won 31 races for Honda but has only managed to finish second in the championship in 2007, 2010, and 2012; not bad for any other team on the grid, but not quite the expectations for a team of Repsol Honda's stature. ![message-editor%2F1528230261074-99c06e2f-9fee-4117-ab30-0bd1b84f7e43.jpg]() *Jorge Lorenzo cruised to a commanding victory in Italy with Ducati., *MotoGP** Although it's too early to know for sure, it's rumored that Lorenzo's two-year deal with Honda is worth nearly $10 million. If this were to be true, Lorenzo will miss the more than [$15 million he's allegedly being paid]() per year at Ducati. Then again, he'll most likely make up the difference in race-win bonuses at Honda if he delivers the goods as expected. ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()