Bautista refuses to rule out leaving Honda; ‘I have another offer on the table’

Alvaro Bautista’s future in WorldSBK could soon become clearer as Honda remains interested in keeping the 2019 series runner-up, while an offer from another team has been made. 

Bautista has endured a tough 2021 season so far, as crashes and machanical issues have led to an opening six rounds that’s yielded just one top five finish - race two Assen.  

Bautista has been part of the HRC project since its return as a full factory outfit in 2020, however, the Japanese manufacturer remains fifth fastest behind Kawasaki, Yamaha, Ducati and BMW. 

And with Bautista admanet he can still win races in WorldSBK, it might take a move away from Honda for the Spaniard to show the form of 2019 again. 

Bautista’s current options for 2022 are to remain with Honda - with whom he’s in talks with, but there has also been another offer ‘put on the table’ as a return to Ducati has been touted. 

Speaking to Speedweek, Bautista added: "Where there's smoke, there's fire. I have an offer from another team on the table. I still have the feeling that as a driver I'm good enough to win races. 

"For that I want a motorcycle and a team that can win. Then I'll look. We have a lot of ideas at Honda to improve. 

"But apart from that, there are also possibilities for me. This season and last season are very strange because of COVID-19. 

"One thing is certain: Honda Racing Corporation is very good and is very committed to this project. 

"It's not true that I'm leaving Honda. But it is also not 100 percent certain that I will stay. I've started a new project with Honda, I don't want to do it again."