The announcement of the arrival of Randy de Puniet within the Honda Endurance Racing team caused a lot of noise, and confirms the desire of the world's leading manufacturer to establish itself in this discipline. Randy's teammates will be Yonny Hernandez and Sébastien Gimbert on an official CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2. At the same time, he will continue to comment on GPs for Canal+ and to race in MotoE in Lucio Cecchinello's LCR team.
Randy, why did you choose to switch to Honda this year for endurance?
“At the time we were discussing the World Endurance Championship, my position was not yet very clear as a test rider for MotoGP. When Kawa made me an offer, it took me a little longer to decide.
“So I wasn't able to decide as was planned in November to ride in endurance, because I was hoping to see how the opportunity to be a test driver would materialize. That was the first reason.
“The second was that we had also been in discussions with Honda since the winter. The third was that I quite liked the prospect of discovering another endurance team.
“I already raced on the bike I'm going to ride this year (even if it wasn't exactly the same) at the Suzuka 8 Hours. I really liked her. I think there is potential in this bike and in this team, so the adventure tempted me.”
From the outside, it is very difficult to see the difference between your team, the Honda Endurance Racing team, and the other FCC TSR Honda France team. What is the difference between both ?
“The first difference is that my team depends on Honda Europe. Part of the other team is Honda Japan. The other team took back the bike I rode at the Suzuka 8 Hours in 2017.
“I can't tell you at the moment what the differences between the two machines are in the technical area because I haven't dwelled too much on it.
“The tires are different with one being Bridgestone and the other being Dunlop. What I saw last season was that this bike was competitive. So there may be small differences in hardware, but at the moment I can't say anything because I don't know. »
Over the past two or three years, Honda has made a phenomenal qualitative leap in endurance. Are the Suzuka 8Hs really that important in Japan?
“They’re super important! It's not a legend when it is said that in Japan the Suzuka 8H is almost as important as a MotoGP World Champion title.
“Last year Honda came with an official bike and they finished second. They were bad for not having won! It was the fourth year in a row that Yamaha won, and this season they want to do it again.
“For me, Suzuka this year is a different perspective because the objective of my team, the Honda Endurance Racing team, is to be World Champion. So it is certain that at Suzuka we will neither compete for the podium nor win, that I know, because there are differences in the machines.
“But there is another goal that we will play for there and that will be the title of World Endurance Champion. »
Video: Suzuka 8 Hours 2017 – Randy de Puniet talks about bikes
Video: Randy's 2017 interview
Video: For the pleasure of the eyes: Bol d’Or 2018 – The start onboard 360° with Randy de Puniet
Photos © Honda Racing
