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Valencia, Spain – Despite a restricted testing schedule at the recent Valencia MotoGP session, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has expressed optimism about the direction of its development program. The Japanese manufacturer, grappling with performance deficits in recent seasons, aimed to refine its RC213V machine for the final year of the current technical regulations before the significant changes slated for 2026.
The Valencia test, held on Tuesday following the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix, saw the factory riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini, along with LCR Honda’s Johann Zarco, evaluate a limited number of new components. While the absence of a completely overhauled prototype was notable, the team focused on assessing specific solutions intended to enhance the current bike’s performance.
Puig’s Assessment: A Productive but Short Day
Team Manager Alberto Puig characterized the test as "productive, a bit short because of the damp track in the morning, but positive." He conveyed that the limited number of parts brought to the track all performed as expected, reinforcing the belief that HRC engineers are pursuing the correct development path.
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"The truth is it was a productive day," Puig stated, indicating that the team had only a small number of items to evaluate. "But everything we fitted seems to work. In principle, the direction is good, and we’re happy."
While Puig remained tight-lipped regarding the specifics of the new components, he alluded to a focus on improving grip, a critical area of concern for the RC213V. "The goal was to try to gain grip, and we tested quite a few different things on the chassis," he explained. He emphasized that the positive results provide a solid foundation for future development during the winter break.
"I’m not going into details, but I’ll say again that the direction is good, and it gives you a certain reference heading into the winter," Puig added. "Knowing that what you test works, and being able to follow a line of development, makes it easier for whatever comes next to follow the same path toward what’s good, which is nothing other than having a bike capable of fighting with the top manufacturers."
Context: Honda’s Concession Status and 2024 Recovery
Honda’s current development trajectory is particularly significant considering their recent performance fluctuations and adjustments to their concession status. After enduring a nadir in performance, marked by struggles for points and consistent finishes, the team demonstrated a resurgence in 2024. This improvement culminated in a surprise victory at the rain-affected French Grand Prix, coupled with podium finishes in dry races at Silverstone, Motegi, and Sepang.
These results triggered the loss of Group D concessions, a set of advantages granted to struggling manufacturers to aid their development. These concessions include private testing days, increased tire allocation, and the ability to field wildcard entries. While the loss of these benefits presents challenges, Puig expressed satisfaction that it reflected the team’s progress.
"That’s why it’s so important that what we tested in Valencia worked," Puig noted. "If you climb up the concessions ranking, logically you get fewer benefits, but we’re happy about that because it means we’ve made progress." He further underscored the importance of positive test results, stating, "It would have been much worse if nothing we tested had worked."
Honda’s Aims for 2026
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, a year that will usher in significant technical changes, Honda has articulated clear objectives. Puig stated that the team is targeting more consistent performance, aiming for regular top-five finishes in every race weekend.
"We’ve improved, that’s obvious; the bike has gained power. Now we need to try to find consistency in the results," Puig stated. He added, "Thinking about a top-five would be a good objective. We need to be consistent without the riders having to push at the limit every lap because that leads to crashes and problems in qualifying."
Puig emphasized the importance of achieving a balance between performance and rider safety. "If we can get a bike that can be regularly among the top five or six in qualifying and in the race, that would be another very important step for next year," he said.
Moreira’s MotoGP Debut
The Valencia test also marked the MotoGP debut of Diogo Moreira, Honda’s highly touted signing for the 2026 season. Moreira, who recently secured the Moto2 championship, has been lauded as a promising talent by Puig, who advocated for his recruitment.
Puig acknowledged the challenges faced by Moreira in his first outing on a MotoGP machine. "The first day on a MotoGP bike is very complicated – it can be hell. The bike is very powerful; we already warned him to take it easy, as he’ll also have to do in next year’s Sepang test," Puig stated.
He also emphasized that the transition from Moto2 to MotoGP is a significant step. "A category change is not easy. But any rider who arrives as world champion hasn’t won that by chance. He’s young, ambitious, and I’m sure that, with time, he’ll move upwards."
Honda’s decision to sign Moreira involved restructuring the LCR Honda team. This involved ending its sponsorship agreement with Idemitsu, which was contingent on fielding Asian riders. The move underscores Honda’s commitment to securing top talent, even if it requires difficult decisions regarding long-standing partnerships.
Looking Ahead: The Winter Break and Future Development
With the Valencia test concluded, the MotoGP teams now enter a period of winter testing. For Honda, this break presents an opportunity to analyze the data collected at Valencia and refine their development plans for the 2025 season. The positive feedback from the Valencia test provides a much-needed morale boost, signaling that the team is on the right path to closing the performance gap to the leading manufacturers.
The focus will likely be on enhancing the RC213V’s grip and overall rideability, addressing rider feedback and ensuring that the bike can consistently deliver competitive lap times. The team is expected to introduce further updates and refinements at the pre-season tests in Sepang, Malaysia, as they prepare for the opening round of the 2025 MotoGP World Championship.
Background: Honda’s MotoGP History
Honda has a long and storied history in MotoGP, with numerous world championships and race victories to its credit. The team has been a dominant force in the premier class for many years, with legendary riders such as Mick Doohan, Valentino Rossi, and Marc Márquez achieving success on Honda machinery.
However, in recent seasons, Honda has faced increasing competition from rival manufacturers, particularly Ducati, which has emerged as the dominant force in MotoGP. The RC213V has struggled to match the performance of the Ducati Desmosedici, leading to a period of rebuilding and re-evaluation within HRC.
The team has invested heavily in its development program, recruiting new engineers and technical staff to bolster its efforts. The aim is to create a more competitive bike that can challenge for race wins and championships once again.
The 2025 season represents a crucial year for Honda as they seek to regain their position at the forefront of MotoGP. The team’s performance will not only determine their competitiveness in the short term but also provide valuable insights and direction for the development of their 2026 machine, which will be built to the new technical regulations.
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