Official Programme # ThaiGP 64 |
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW |
Since Marc Marquez left Honda at the end of 2023 , a shift in mentality has seemingly 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 European manufacturers – but that doesn ’ t mean Honda HRC are down and out . 2020 World Champion Joan Mir , Luca Marini , Johann Zarco and Thailand ’ s Somkiat Chantra , the rookie a new arrival , will work intensely to deliver results , of which their best in 2024 was a P8 by Zarco at Buriram . Serious work |
is also 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 prove a powerful mix . They ’ ve been testing privately in Thailand , so no stone is going left unturned ahead of 2025 – with the factory using their concessions to the max . |