Regardless of exhibiting some spectacular indicators of restoration over the winter, and benefitting from a brand new concession system that got here into power this yr, Honda has struggled to make a lot progress in the beginning of the 2024 season.
Approaching this weekend’s French Grand Prix, it sits on the backside of the constructors’ standings on simply 13 factors, having failed to interrupt inside the highest 10 even as soon as throughout the opening 4 rounds of the yr.
Honda has been engaged on a brand new ‘lab bike’ whose growth is led by check rider Stefan Bradl, however each manufacturing unit rider Joan Mir and Johann Zarco have been unimpressed with the way it behaved on observe – with Zarco even going again to the previous-spec bike on the current Jerez check.
Talking about Honda’s current run of type, Puig mentioned the crew continues to be determining the place it must be heading with the event of the RC213V.
“If we will perceive the path to go, we will attempt to take steps ahead,” he mentioned. “In fact, most of the stuff you uncover will not be computerized. You in all probability will not have the ability to use them within the subsequent grand prix, however you can begin making ready different elements.
“We have now to proceed doing what we’re doing. We’re working exhausting. Honda is just not sleeping, that is one thing I’ve to say. The one sure factor is that we’ve got not but been capable of finding the path we hope and wish.”
Puig’s remarks are in distinction with the feedback made by race rider Mir, who felt Honda had discovered a ‘clear path’ with its MotoGP idea on the post-Spanish GP check. That was regardless of the 2020 champion additionally rejecting the ‘lab bike’, which he had ridden beforehand in a non-public check.
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures
Puig made it clear that Honda is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to return to the entrance of the grid and is now profiting from its total four-rider roster to check new elements, that are being launched at an more and more fast price.
The Japanese marque has additionally been working carefully with its satellite tv for pc crew LCR this season, which suggests each new recruit Zarco and protege Taakaki Nakagami have a task to play in shaping the RC213V.
“I can say kind of what we’ve got been saying in current months: We are attempting many, many issues, and we’re looking for an answer as a result of we’re nonetheless not clearly the place we need to be,” he mentioned.
“We have now 4 riders and we are attempting to make use of all of them to attempt various things. So everyone seems to be attempting various things. We’re looking for the absolute best combos, in fact.
“Stefan Bradl examined the bike and we collected a number of information. The sensations have been good. It is not dangerous. It is not good, there are issues to enhance.
“I can not give a selected remark, however I feel the Jerez check is essential, as a result of we’ve got all 4 drivers attempting various things, totally different combos, and on the finish of the day we may have some essential conclusions.”
