Source: Supplied.

Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa will celebrate his 250th grand prix appearance at Mugello’s Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

The 30-year-old Spaniard just renewed his deal with Honda for another two seasons this week, ahead of a major milestone weekend in Italy.

“I’m very happy to arrive at the Italian GP having already renewed with Honda and aware I will be able to keep working with a team I know and trust,” Pedrosa commented.

“With our future well lined up we’ll be totally free to just focus on the work to do on track. Mugello has a very fast and flowing layout with many long corners so finding a good setup and a good grip will be crucial.

“So far my overall pace in races has been better than it could be expected from practices, in Le Mans at least it was so in the second part of the race, so I’m hoping to start strong from Friday and to keep improving over the weekend.

“I’ll try to do better Saturday in qualifying and to get a better grid position so be closer to the front and not remaining stuck in the first part of the race.”

Over the 15 years following his debut race in 2001 at Suzuka aboard an Honda RS125R, Pedrosa won three world titles (125GP in 2003, 250GP in 2004/2005) and achieved more podiums for Honda than any other rider, with a total of 142 including 51 victories.