Marco Simoncelli proved this year that he has the raw talent to compete in the MotoGP. But it takes more than just raw talent to win. Simoncelli has the speed, but he'll need another year of experience before he can truly be a contender at the premier level.
Simoncelli will get that tutelage under Fausto Gresini.
"I am really happy to announce that Marco will be back with Team San Carlo Honda Gresini in 2012. Over the past two years together we have been able to appreciate Marco's qualities as a rider, as a man and as an extroverted communicator, which made us keen to continue our collaboration," Gresini said. "Obviously in order to make this possible we needed a lot of effort from our sponsors, who have shown such belief in this project and I am grateful to them.
"HRC are going to offer a general level of support that will be very important as well as making a factory RC213V factory available to Marco. Al l this gives us great pride and is a testament to the close relationship we have built with the Japanese factory over fifteen fruitful years of partnership. Marco's huge determination will give us all a lot of motivation ahead of what promises to be an exciting new season."
Simoncelli has been consistently in the top five this year. He has started on the front row 6 times this year and has taken the pole position twice. The Honda rider hasn't been able to take a victory yet, but it's only a matter of time until Marco joins the title race.
"To be wearing the colours of Team San Carlo Honda Gresini for another year and riding a Honda RC213V gives me a lot of satisfaction," Simoncelli said. "To be kept on as part of project that Honda HRC are so supportive of in collaboration with Team San Carlo Honda Gresini gives me a lot of confidence and all the motivation I need to show that I can be amongst the best in MotoGP again. 2012 will be an important season for me and I want to give all those people who have believed in this project plenty to get excited about."
