Honda and Yamaha used to monopolise the MotoGP title fights. Now they're mocked as having their own 'Japanese Cup' at the back of the field, as even getting into Q2 feels like a victory given how far they've fallen.
All of which must make it tough to be a rider at one of those brands.
But when Simon Patterson sat down for exclusive one-on-one interviews with all six Honda and Yamaha riders for The Race MotoGP Podcast, their differing views on their situations shone through.
We hear Fabio Quartararo's take on why he stayed at Yamaha even though he often seems to hate its bike, a brutally open Joan Mir on what he's desperate to happen at Honda, and Johann Zarco and Luca Marini explaining what they've got out of being part of struggling Honda this year after stepping off frontrunning Ducatis.
Plus Alex Rins's take on his fitness battle and Taka Nakagami's reflections on Honda's situation as his full-time racing career ends.
Simon, Val Khorounzhiy and Matt Beer share their thoughts on what the sextet had to say, and what the future might hold for all of them.
And if you want to hear all six interviews in full and uncut, they're going to be available exclusively to The Race Members' Club.
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Join The Race Members' Club for exclusive MotoGP extras including our new-for-2025 Revisited series that relives the entire 2015 season!
