Dani Pedrosa will be looking for a new MotoGP rider for next year

Pedrosa has ridden Honda machinery throughout his MotoGP career, having moved up from 250cc level in 2006. The 32-year-old has finished in the top three in the MotoGP championship six times over that period but never won a title. And now the team have decided not to renew his deal for the 2019 season after a poor start to the year: Pedrosa only completed three of the six races and achieved a best finish of fifth.

"I want to thank HRC [Honda Racing Corporation] for all these years of great success," Pedrosa said. "I have grown not only as a rider but also as a person with them. “I will always have HRC in my memories and in my heart. "In life we all need new challenges and I feel it's time for a change. Thanks, HRC."

Pedrosa’s career with Honda spans beyond his MotoGP involvement. The Spaniard won the 125cc title in 2003 with five wins and six more podiums in his 14 races. And he immediately excelled when moved up to Honda’s 250cc, winning back-to-back world titles with 15 race wins in the two years to earn a ride in MotoGP with Honda. "Today is a sad day for me," said Yoshishige Nomura, HRC president. "On behalf of HRC, I want to thank Dani for all his hard and successful work, and to express our gratitude for these two decades together. "We also wish him the very best of luck and success. Thanks, Dani."