Alberto Puig on Honda’s MotoGP Struggles

[Admin]

Repsol Honda Team Principal Alberto Puig. (MotoGP/)

Many times we’ve heard Marc Márquez say, “I have won with worse bikes.” Yet as things stand now, the HRC team is going through as difficult a time in its MotoGP as anyone in the paddock can remember.

Yes, its history has seen challenging moments; before the arrival of Mick Doohan, for example, or when Valentino Rossi left Honda for Yamaha at the end of 2003. But looking at the stats, this dark time has come as a result of a combination of factors. The change of the regulations leveling the performance of the bikes came on top of Márquez’s massive highside at Jerez 2020 and the four arm surgeries that followed.

Yet looking back at the numbers, we see that when the Spaniard returned last year, he won three races. The question then becomes: Where is the problem, the bike or Márquez’s absence?

Just before the Japanese GP weekend began at Motegi, the historical track owned by Honda, a handful of questions were posed to Repsol Honda Team Principal Alberto Puig.

Honda is struggling as it maybe has never done before. Which are the main factors that created the current situation?

In racing as in life, you cannot point only to one thing. It’s always a combination of factors; Marc’s incident was the starting point of all this. He couldn’t test the bike, so the development was affected, and we lost a little bit of direction. The final consequence? The bike is behind compared to our competitors. In addition, we have to say that the pandemic situation penalized us, as for two years the Japanese engineers could not travel back and forth as it used to be, so communication, connection, and daily work have been more difficult.

Looking at the bike, which are the main areas you want to improve?

The bike has positive points, but if we look at the results, it’s clear that we need to improve the bike globally.

Last year Marc returned after nine months of stop and won three races, so it was not a bad bike.

From last year to this year we changed the bike in the direction we thought was correct, but we are not where we would like to be.

Related: Why Was Alberto Puig Named The Repsol Honda Team Manager?

There have been positive improvements, but Puig admits Honda’s RC213V is behind the competition. (MotoGP/)

Márquez has said that, in modern MotoGP, aerodynamics counts a lot. Will you focus more on this area?

We are already working on it, and we will continue, including all the areas. It’s clear that we have to check all the parameters.

Honda used to raise the bar and introduce the latest technology. It was the first, for example, to introduce the seamless gearbox. It’s strange to see Honda behind now.

It all started with Marc’s incident, and we missed the path. But it’s not the end of the world. We have won for many years. Regarding the technological innovations, the European constructors clearly took a step ahead with aerodynamics and aero devices, but we mustn’t forget that many years ago all these companies copied the Japanese manufacturers.

What is the feeling inside the garage?

It’s not a nice situation, but we will go through it and return even stronger. We know that Honda will return [to] winning, so there’s no panic. We are experiencing a difficult moment and we know it, but even when we were winning, we didn’t say every day “we are the best,” as some do. You don’t have to be too proud when you win or too weak when you lose.

Puig says Honda will return to winning; he is not worried. (MotoGP/)

Honda and HRC merged, and so did the two- and four-wheel R&D departments. Can MotoGP benefit from F1 technology?

The merge has just started so it will take some time, but I think it would be potentially positive for us.

How important is the return of Marc, not only for the development but also to boost the motivation of the team?

It’s good to see him back and have him on the bike especially for him, because he loves racing. I see him happy and relieved.

Related: Alberto Puig Knows The Way To MotoGP

Marc Márquez’s return to racing has already had highs and lows. (MotoGP/)

How difficult has it been for him to ride with the pain?

It’s not good for two reasons: for the pain, and because it limits the ability to use your full potential. You cannot turn or accelerate as you want so in the end you are slow.

Regarding Marc, he has proved to be mentally very strong. In 2021 with an arm and a half he won three races. This shows his motivation, determination, and talent.

Marc stressed the necessity to improve the communication between the track and Japan?

We want to improve the whole system.

Since Barcelona we saw Shinichi Kokubu-san (general manager of technology development at HRC) a lot.

He has always been the technical director, so when we saw that things were difficult, he came more often.

Looking ahead, HRC signed Joan Mir alongside Marc Márquez from 2023. What are the qualities that you liked in the 25-year-old Spaniard?

More than qualities we are looking at facts. Joan proved to be fast, winning two world titles, plus thanks to his young age he can develop and progress with the bike. It was a decision that was taken related to these factors.

How do you see the Márquez-Mir duo?

At HRC we always try to have the best available riders. Every rider will have to give the maximum, and it’s up to us to provide the best bike. Then on Sunday, they will do their best race, for themselves and the team.

Joan Mir will be joining Márquez on the HRC team in 2023. (MotoGP/)

What is Honda’s philosophy regarding the riders’ lineup?

Honda has always tried to have the best possible riders. Besides Mick Doohan, for example, there was Àlex Crivillé, who was also able to win the title. Let’s think Valentino Rossi with Nicky Hayden, who eventually won the title in 2006, or hiring five-time Jorge Lorenzo alongside Marc Márquez.

View the full article