After working under the seven-time MotoGP champions, Santi Hernandez thinks the main “similarities” and “differences” between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi are clear.
Hernandez is one of the very few people to have worked as an engineer with both. Rossi And Marquez in their profession. The two MotoGP legends built their teams loyally, going to great lengths to keep their close partners close after forming a close bond between their successes.
When the Italian switched from Honda to Yamaha for the 2004 MotoGP season, Rossi famously took most of his engineering team with him. Similarly, Márquez moved to keep his Moto2 engineering team (including Hernández) as part of his MotoGP debut in 2013.
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Santi Hernandez thinks Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi share similar ‘model’ qualities
Marquez Hernandez and Carlos Lena in 2011. Joining the Honda MotoGP team in 2013, he kept them by his side before the rest of the crew followed him in 2014. Contractual obligations finally appeared When Marquez leaves in 2024, Hernandez will stay at HondaOnly Javi Ortiz joined him on Gresini.
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Having worked for both, Hernandez believes the obvious similarity between Marquez and Rossi is that the Spaniard and Italian are champions who act as “role models” who helped shape MotoGP. But it’s also clear that they have their own “character” that sets them apart.
Hernandez said. Moto.it: “The same? They are champions, they are two riders who have made world championship history and are role models for many young riders. That is the similarity.”
“Difference? Each one has its own character. I can make this comparison with Mark because I worked with him for a long time, and when I was with Valentino, my role was different – I was monitoring the suspension, so I had a little information.
But I tell you, I cannot speak ill of anyone. Valentino treated me well when I worked with him, our relationship with Mark is different because our relationship is a friendship. It’s different.
Hernandez has worked for Honda since the 2000 500cc season, after officially joining the team as a suspension engineer after helping Alex Creville win the 1999 title as part of Show.
His time with the Tokyo Mariners saw Hernandez work with Rossi in 2015.
Marquez first started working with Hernandez in 2011. With Hernández’s support, Marquez has won six of his seven MotoGP titles, with the Spaniard taking his first championship without his close partner when he joins Ducati in 2025.
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