TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
HONDA
There was no dressing up how disastrous 2022 was for Honda . Marquez and new team-mate Joan Mir were , therefore , entitled to expect big changes in preseason . Both were disappointed . HRC brought a new engine , which had a higher top speed than what it used in ’ 22 . But the RC213V ’ s major deficits remain , with Marquez complaining he still feels far from comfortable when braking to enter the corner . And they remain miles off Ducati on corner exit . Positives included new Technical Manager Ken Kawauchi , formerly of Suzuki , bringing a better organisation to affairs than before . Marquez also spoke of his physical condition being greatly improved compared to the previous five preseasons . But Honda appear as far from the top as they were in the autumn of last year . Its factory men have raced a chassis made by Kalex in recent races . But the injuries suffered by Marquez , Mir and Alex Rins in the first half of the season demonstrate how perilous it is currently to take the ’ 23 RC213V to its limits . Stefan Bradl rode a ’ 24 prototype at the San Marino GP with a revised riding position and a mass damper under the seat unit . The engine was , however , unchanged . Joan Mir is pushing to ride this in the season ’ s closing races .
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