Hiroshi Aoyama begins his fifth season as Team Manager of Idemitsu Honda Team Asia. He analyzes the results of last season and looks forward to 2022, with two rookie riders in Moto3.
In 2021, the Idemitsu Honda Asia team lined up the
Japanese Ai Ogura and Thai Somkiat Chantra. The first finished 8th in the championship despite the deadlock in the last race, the second 18th. Both are renewed for 2022.
In Moto3, the Japanese Yuki Kunii and the Indonesian Andi Farid Izdihar defended the Honda Asia colors. They finished 25th and 29th respectively and were replaced by the Indonesian Mario Suryo Aji and the Japanese Taiyo Furusato.
What is a typical day like at your house in winter?
« Usually I spend this time working at home, this year too. But it's not just about doing office work. Last week we did a training session in Kumamoto, here in Japan, with Ogura and Furusato. The weather wasn't very good, but we enjoyed it a lot. »
What assessment do you draw from last season?
« It was not easy as a team to compete in 18 races with the stress of the situation around the Covid pandemic. In some races we had wildcard drivers. This meant managing five riders. Indeed, it was difficult, but I gained new experiences and knowledge. In terms of results, we have seen different levels of performance and results from drivers throughout the season. Of course, we could always do better, that's for sure. But I think we did everything we could do last season, and we need to take a step forward »
What do you expect from next season, in terms of results?
« In Moto2, Ogura and Chantra can fight for the championship, they have the potential. I think next year we have a good chance of doing it.
In Moto3 we will have two beginner riders; we believe in them because they have immense potential, but next year they will have to concentrate on learning about the championship.
»
This is your fifth season as team manager. In the first years you combined this role with that of test pilot. How is the process of adaptation from driver to team manager going?
« I need to improve, but I'm still learning about this position. Being a team manager is good, but it's not that simple. Around me, I have good staff in my team. They help me a lot. From now on, I hope we can achieve good results together. »
