After the retirement of Shuhei Nakamoto at the end of 2016, replaced by the triumvirate composed of Naoki Hattori (Marketing), Testuhiro Kawata (Drivers) and Schinichi Kokubu (Technical Manager), the ouster of Livio Suppo at the end of 2017 continued to shake up the management hierarchy of the Repsol Honda team.
To replace the Italian, we created a surprise by naming Alberto Puig, who left the MotoGP paddock after his falling out with Dani Pedrosa to take care of the Asia Talent Cup on behalf of Dorna.
Reputed to be tough and not very diplomatic, the ex-pilot nevertheless seems to approach things with modesty and to give himself time to get his bearings in this new role at the head of a complex mechanism where he will have to know how to deal not only with two Spanish pilots , including a quadruple MotoGP world champion and his angry former foal, but also with three Japanese directors.
At least that’s what emerges from this interview given to Manuel Pecino for Solomoto, of which we reproduce here some extracts…
What will be your exact role within the HRC team?
“To be honest, I'm still trying to understand what it means to be a team manager. But it's not new to me either, because I've been a 125 and 250cc team manager in the past. I think I understand the work, but it's also true that this is a team that has a lot more responsibility, and we're talking about the highest level in racing. I think it's good for me to be in such a position right now, because I've been able to gain experience over the past few years. I've done a lot in racing and I think if something like this was going to happen, it's about time. »
Will the Repsol Honda team manager be full-time or will he remain involved in the Asia Talent Cup which he managed until last year?
“Although it was organized by Honda, the Asia Talent Cup was a Dorna operation. We decided that I will continue to support activities with young pilots. I may not be as focused as I have been in the past, but I won't break this relationship either. »
Do you think that being a former driver can make the team stronger than in the past?
“The HRC team has always been strong. Honda has won many races over the years. She has won more races as a constructor and as a team than anyone else. Frankly, I don't think one person can change things or a team. The key to racing is having a top driver and a company that brings technology to the highest level. If you have these two things, you have a good chance of having a good team. Can being an ex-pilot help or not? It's always positive to have the experience of racing, but I'm not coming here to change history. »
Is there anything to do differently from the past?
“This is my first time here; it is difficult to say anything in this regard. The Honda team has been here for many years and I don't think anyone can bring something completely new to Honda. The technology is there and it is a company that always seeks to have the best drivers. We'll see how it goes. And times change too; what might have been good three years ago may not be so good now. Other things that haven't worked in the past may work in the future. Frankly, I want to look at everything from a logical, simple, and racing approach. This is what I will try to do. »
In the past you were next to Dani Pedrosa, then you separated, and now you meet again. What is the situation now? Will this be a complication?
" No. No. As you know, I know Dani very well, I was the one who helped him start running. I helped him win many races and three world titles. I have good memories of those times, I had a lot of fun and I learned a lot, because it was the first time I worked as a team manager after I stopped racing. Then, life is life, there was a moment when we didn't think the same way, and we talked... Now we're back on the same team. I won't be his manager, but of course, I will be his team manager. My job is to help achieve the best possible results. We have two drivers in the team and they will be treated the same. »
Being a MotoGP team manager requires a lot of political negotiation skills. You are aware ?
" We will see. I don't think it's a big problem. The good thing about this job is that it allows you to learn. Over the years, we get used to understanding or dealing with things that we don't like so much, but which are part of the situation. I won't have any problems. »
A simple velvet glove slipped on an iron fist, or a more profound change linked to lived experiences, only the future will provide a real answer. In this regard, it will also be interesting to see if Dani Pedrosa stays at Honda in 2019, or possibly lets himself be tempted by the KTM adventure to find a certain Mike leitner with whom he spent 11 years and won his two 250cc world titles in 2004 and 2005…
