The Japanese producer has been endeavor a top-to-bottom revamp of its MotoGP operations following a steady decline in outcomes over the previous couple of years and the lack of star rider Marc Marquez to Gresini Ducati.
Whereas there was important optimism throughout the Honda camp over the winter because it went about altering its philosophy and tradition, the opening two rounds of the 12 months in Qatar and Portugal final month highlighted the size of the problem it nonetheless faces to shut the hole to the highest.
Not solely the RC213V struggled over a single lap, with all 4 riders failing to break into Q2, however the bike wasn’t a lot better in race trim, with twelfth place the very best Honda might handle throughout Losail and Portimao.
Honda group supervisor Alberto Puig admitted that the Japanese marque is just not the place it wish to be within the pecking order, however vowed to place in all efforts with a view to full its restoration to the entrance of the pack.
“We’re in a means of growth,” mentioned Puig. “We imagine we’re making progress however, on the similar time, we imagine the opposite guys have additionally made some progress.
“We did not catch up as a lot as we anticipated, for now, however the one factor we all know is that we’re on a mission [and] our intention is evident.
“Okay, it is not likely simple however we’re placing in a variety of assets [and] we’re having a variety of manpower that’s including to the mission.
“And the riders, regardless that they don’t seem to be 100% happy nonetheless with the efficiency, they’ll see that we are attempting our greatest effort. [We are] not there but clearly as a result of what you see on the [starting] grid you possibly can perceive [we are far from the front].
Alberto Puig, Repsol Honda Staff Staff Principal
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photographs
“However it’s a course of. After all, we push to be far more in entrance this time however issues are the best way they’re and we will solely carry on attempting.
“We’re looking for extra rear contact [grip], each entry and exit and we’re engaged on it. We made some steps these days. However we want extra, clearly.”
Honda is likely one of the two producers that can profit from MotoGP’s new system of concession in 2024, permitting it limitless testing with race riders over the course of the 12 months – in addition to giving it extra freedom with chassis and engine growth.
Honda revealed at first of the 12 months that it’s aiming to organise 22 personal exams this 12 months with a view to check new components and convey them on the race-spec bike as shortly as attainable.
With guidelines easing its restoration path, and loads of assets at its disposal, Puig reckons Honda will be capable of make a significant leap in efficiency within the second a part of the marketing campaign, which begins with the British Grand Prix on 4 August.
“We’re on a mission and we now have targets and you realize Honda additionally very effectively,” he mentioned. “We is not going to cease until we’ll get there.
“I believe with the concessions and all these programmes we now have, I believe by perhaps the summer season time we [can] make some steps.
“Let’s hope that the second a part of the season – after Misano, we will even check there – we will see some greater steps or some clear enhancements.
“That is our hope and one thing that’s cheap to assume. That is what I believe and [what] our expectations [are].”
