Honda is gaining momentum and this offseason has undoubtedly shown it. An all-new, very different RC213V has been put on the track and ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix the Japanese giant looks in good form. Pol Espargaró, in the lead at Mandalika, injected the factory with a good dose of confidence. The words of number 44 said it all: “ I've never been so fast before. » The same positivity was heard from Marc Marquez. The eight-time world champion finishes the Mandalika test in ninth position, 0,4 seconds behind Espargaró, but everyone is smiling in the number 93 camp. Improvements have been made day after day at Mandalika, and the testing couldn't have gone better. HRC no longer seems to doubt that its director Tetsuhiro Kuwata is announcing big ambitions for this season…
Honda seems to have perfectly understood what had happened to him during the last two years of having to do without the sole talent of Marc Marquez. A new RC213V was developed and its qualities were identified during the five days spent testing this off-season. The latest opus Honda clearly stands out from the past, with the intention of erasing the weaknesses of the previous model.
« The differences can be seen from the outside, but of course there are also differences on the inside » explains the director of the HRC about him Tetsuhiro Kuwata in this official video. “ The concept was to come out of our shell to improve performance, so the bike is completely different from two years ago. We changed the engine, chassis and electronics. We can already confirm that we have addressed our weak points ».
Honda says it got out of its " shell«
To this technical revelation is added a Marc Marquez fit for service, even if he is not yet at the top of his form: “ Marc made Honda history since his arrival and we are proud of what he has accomplished with us » solemnly mentions Kuwata. " My best memory is the 2019 season, when he showed his true potential. Unfortunately the last 2 years have been difficult for him, but I am convinced that, now, he will write a new page and I have no doubt that he will fight for the championship ».
However, Honda not only waiting for the feat of Marc Marquez. With the new motorcycle, the winged coat of arms also wants to be able to count on Pol Espargarò : " Pol had a hard time adapting to our bike, but when he started to do so, we understood what he needed to go fast. In the second half of last season, he showed his speed, which is not in question. If we manage to give him a bike with greater potential, he will be able to fight to win races and even the championship ».
Fighting for the championship? Indeed, Kuwata san confirms that we heard correctly when mentioning the objective for this vintage: “ it's always the same, winning the title, but this year we're going to try to do a double ». Honda seems to have grown tired of being taught a lesson by Ducati. The confrontation promises to be exciting this year in MotoGP.
