53
Since Marc Marquez left Honda at the end of 2023, a shift in mentality has been required at Honda HRC, with 2024 being a challenging year and the manufacturer looking to the future. Like fellow Japanese manufacturer Yamaha, they’ ve been overthrown from their chair at the top in recent years by the return to force of the European manufacturers but that doesn’ t mean Honda HRC are down and out completely.
2020 World Champion Joan Mir, Luca Marini, Johann Zarco, and Thailand’ s Somkiat Chantra will work intensely to deliver results, of which their best in 2024 was a P8 by Zarco at Buriram. But work is being undertaken behind the scenes; Honda have poached ex-Aprilia technical director Romano Albesiano, who was part of the Noale brand in that role since 2013, replacing Gigi Dall’ Igna who moved to Ducati. This time, Albesiano replaces Ken Kawauchi, who moves to the test team, which also has a new face.
Takaaki Nakagami remains in the Honda ecosystem and is joined by ex-GP winner Aleix Espargaro. Having two ex-Aprilia personnel in Espargaro and Albesiano may be just a small part of what is needed to turn the Honda HRC ship around. They’ ve been testing privately in Thailand, so no stone is going left unturned ahead of 2025 – which will also feature a fresh livery too.
Official Programme Lusail International Circuit