Official Programme # ThaiGP 64
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
When Marc Marquez left HRC at the close of 2023, the future looked fairly bleak. But in two seasons, Honda has managed to turn its fortunes around completely, and enters a MotoGP™ campaign in its best shape since 2019. Last year Japan’ s biggest motorcycle manufacturer surprised everyone. It won a race with Johann Zarco, and scored three further podiums with the Frenchman and Joan Mir. Updates it introduced after the summer break helped its stable of riders become regular top six contenders. And despite a continued lack of rear grip, the RC213V improved its top speed, front end stability and braking capacity.
It culminated in Luca Marini’ s seventh place at Valencia seeing them rise from Category‘ D’ concessions to Category‘ C’ for 2026, a tangible sign of progress. Clearly, the work of new test riders Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami has helped, as has the joined-up thinking between the factory, race and test teams. Romano Albesiano, hired to be Technical Director from Aprilia at the close of 2023, has also had a positive impact.
Despite its success, HRC hasn’ t stood still during the winter months. Team personnel are largely unchanged. Plus, an updated engine and aerodynamics mean HRC riders have genuine aspirations to win races this year.