Analysis: How Honda got the upper hand over Marquez

Last Friday, Shuhei Nakamoto turned 59, which means that Honda's vice-president in the MotoGP world championship will be replaced, very probably, before the end of the season.

However, Nakamoto has one final mission before he's handed his honorary role, aside from doing everything possible to help Honda recapture the title: renew Marc Marquez's contract.

This is a much easier task for Nakamoto than it would have been had the matter been faced a couple of months ago, when the rider market had not yet sprung into action.

But Jorge Lorenzo's move to Ducati has played against Marquez's aspirations, as he now does not have so much leverage to impose his conditions.

A matter of timing

During the pre-season, the Honda was a mess, and the whole paddock knew it was the Spanish rider who was making a difference. And besides, Ducati had publicly said that it had spoken to him about a possible deal.

But, with the fifth race of the season taking place this weekend at Le Mans, Marquez is destined to come to terms with Honda.

Like what happened after his first contract renewal in 2014, the youngest champion in history will have to settle for a smaller pay packet than what he could have aspired to.

While, during his first renewal, Marquez rushed to sign the contract Honda presented to him at the second round of the season, this time he has waited too long - especially seeing the situation at Honda and his great results despite the circumstances.

The Catalan rider knows that Honda now has the advantage in the negotiations, having not started talking to his employers until Austin.

He currently makes around seven million euros a year, a lot less than the 12 million that Lorenzo will get at Ducati. According to sources close to the negotiations, talks have stalled until Marquez lowers his demands.

Nakamoto's legacy

In any case, the scenario appears to be perfect for Nakamoto to bring his eight year tenure at the head of Honda MotoGP's operation to a close in great fashion.

Aside from the four titles that he could achieve if Honda secures the 2016 crown, the Japanese engineer will be remembered for having introduced the seamless gearbox - a legacy of his time in Formula 1 - and for having hired Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez.

When he finally says goodbye, Honda will not replace him directly, because it can't find anyone with such all-round ability, so the team will be lead by three men: Shinichi Kokubu, Hattori San and Tetsuhiro Kuwata.