You couldn't have missed the news that could change the balance on the grid: Honda will change technical director at the end of the year, and for the first time, the top position will not be entrusted to a Japanese in MotoGP. It's a real tidal wave, which only confirms the Europeanization of our sport. What do you think? How will the firm with the golden wing evolve, and above all, can it regain its former glory? Here's a little analysis.
An Italian accent
When we say that the MotoGP is turning more towards the old continent, in fact, Spain and Italy. Spain for the riders, who arrive in numbers, without interruption, Italy for the motorcycles and the best engineers. The case of Romano Albesiano is quite interesting, because this man in the shadows is the very incarnation of this new wave.
Albesiano, one of the most important figures in the Aprilia program for over ten years, has helped the Noale firm rise. This happened in two stages. First, the beginnings under the Gresini team, with measured success, and then, the emancipation of the brand from 2022. The successes came at that time. Today, the RS-GP has reached a glass ceiling. It is no longer progressing, and above all, it can no longer keep up with the Ducati Desmosedici GP24, which she nevertheless kept in check at the start of the season. It is in this context that Albesiano leaves to join Honda. Like Yamaha before them with Max Bartolini (ex-Ducati executive), they relegate their Japanese mastermind Ken Kawauchi to the test team.
Is this a good decision? In my opinion, yes, obviously.. We need to get up to date and Honda is too far away to afford to lose another year, especially since 2027 needs to be prepared with the greatest attention. This Europeanization had proved unsuccessful with Kalex, but the recruitment of a new technical director is ideal for breathing new life into things. Just look at what Gigi Dall'Igna managed to do with Ducati. From what the professionals say, Albesiano is one of the best, so it's definitely a good choice..
Honda Racing Corporation welcomes Romano Albesiano as Technical Director.
From the start of 2025, Albesiano will oversee HRC's MotoGP project and the continued development of the Honda RC213V machine as Technical Director.https://t.co/UeQOCM1C4T
- Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) October 4, 2024
Patience
Don't get me wrong: as with Dall'Igna, it will take time.. As a reminder, the genius with the unibrow arrived at Ducati in 2013, and it took until 2018, 2019, or even 2020 for the Desmosedici to become the best bike on the grid. Of course, Honda has colossal resources, but the Japanese institution's descent into hell proves that that's not everything. The important thing is to have a direction, a project, led by determined troops. This also involves recruiting capable riders, another problematic topic, still according to me.
This waiting time could be reduced by the context: since the introduction of the single ECU in 2016, it is "easier" to be very competitive quickly. KTM and Suzuki are two good examples. In addition, the new regulations that will appear in three years will probably level the field, at least, that is what we hope. This pattern does not necessarily hold true on a historical scale..
Last point that will convince you not to get carried away. As Johann Zarco rightly pointed out, Romano Albesiano arrives alone. The Honda box is not going to start singing Italian classics as if by magicThe recruitment of Albesiano must be seen as a starting point, a real renewal, the beginning of a new era. The defection of Repsol for the coming years also goes in this direction. If it is to do "like the others" and the Italian cannot implement his plan, I do not see the point.
To succeed, Honda must not only Europeanize itself, but also "de-Japanize" itself.. And it's very sad.
Damage
Could this be a real episode of Let's talk MotoGP without yet another nostalgic lament? I am sorry to be a prisoner of my romanticized imagination, but I find it so sad that Honda is forced to deny its origins. As I said above, I do not dispute the relevance of this decision, it is good on all levels. Besides, in the paddock, everyone is unanimous on this subject.
I simply find it a shame to witness the fall of a country, because Honda is Japan, much more so than Yamaha. Culturally, it is much stronger in the Japanese archipelago. And then, Yamaha, in its history in Grand Prix, had already called upon European and American elites to lead its program. But with Honda it's different; don't ask me why, just a feeling.
This decision, even if it brings some good, only confirms my analysis of the situation in Japan that I published at the very beginning of the 2023 season. I invite you to click here to find it, it hasn't aged a day.
I'm curious to know what you think about the situation – and why not, from my paper – in comments!
As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport