At Honda in MotoGP, we have a schedule that is completely out of sync with the rest of the paddock and it can be explained by the monumental failure of the latest opus of the RC213V. The situation is so catastrophic that one wonders how the world's leading manufacturer could have reached this state of decline. Certainly, Marc Marquez has been largely absent from the evolution of the species for almost two years, but all the same, it is fundamentally a question of making a motorcycle, which an HRC no longer seems to be able to produce. However proven experience. Alberto Puig is the one who sees this debacle on the field after having experienced glory three seasons in a row, and he explains that everything will be decided at the end of this month of August, with a medical examination, and at the beginning of September with two days test in Misano…
And the Spaniard, who leads the team Repsol Honda Team for five seasons now, admits that if these two deadlines are missed, there will perhaps not be much to hope for from the winged coat of arms in MotoGP. Absolutely, but we must say things as they are, and which were once again confirmed by a final Austrian Grand Prix that was unbearable for those who shout loud and clear with pride: “we are Honda”. And Alberto puig is not the last to be heard on this theme…
Public chat Todocircuito, we can thus read his words which first analyze the situation. And it starts strong with the skills assessment: “ we know what's happening to us, but we don't know how to solve it ". A total loss of reference thatAlberto puig explains as follows: “ the COVID issue has affected us a lot, but I don't want that to be an excuse » he said while emphasizing that the closure of the borders has handicapped the Japanese, whose forces are on their national soil. “ The European manufacturers finish the race and the next day they are with their teams at the factory and they are working. We are clearly behind schedule. We need to radically change things » comments the former pilot who, with this conviction born from this crisis, shows that in all things bad is good for an organization.
Alberto Puig: “ if Marc Marquez can go four rounds and say 'yes' or 'no', then it will be very important »
But when misfortune hits a pilot of the caliber of Marc Marquez, there is no positive point to be drawn from it… “ In 2019, Marc won 12 races with this bike and his worst result was second. What happened in 2020? This boy had a very serious accident, and the development of the bike with a guy who gives 200% was interrupted. It affected us a bit to be honest » declares one Puig which reveals that the nostalgia for these good times in 2019 was such that it was seriously considered to bring out this season's RC213V, to start from a proven base. He says : " going back is something that is always there. It's about getting back to something that worked for you. But I don't think the solution is there either. The 2021 Misano bike was going more or less well, then changes were made that were too drastic. We probably need to go back a bit, but we need to think of new ideas », insists Puig.
But for these ideas to be validated, it is absolutely necessary to have a Marc Marquez operational on the motorcycle. Even a little… And that’s whereAlberto puig coward : " it would be a problem if Marc Marque could not ride at the Misano tests on September 6 and 7. The deadlines were met, and the doctor told him “on August 25, we have a CT scan, if the bone is okay, you can ride”. I don't know. We will see. I personally believe he won't be there for the race, but if he can be there for the test, even if it is not to do 100 laps a day, but if he can do four laps and say 'yes' or 'no', then it will be very important ».
And otherwise ? “ If he's not in the Misano test, it won't be the same, because we haven't had Marc in testing for a long time. The Misano test is very important to prepare a prototype for Valencia, if it is not there… We will still go a little blind. We have always had two riders, in this case we had to rely more on Pol and the test rider, but the one who knows this bike best is Marc. He knows it very well because he has won many races with it. It's not that other riders don't understand it, don't get me wrong, but the one who really understands it is the one who has won the most times with this bike. If Marc is not there, it complicates our work a little. ».
The next few days will be crucial for Honda in view of 2023, a season where the brand has not yet officially confirmed the rumor of the arrival of Joan mir, as it was not more contractually assured than Repsol would continue the adventure with HRC, even if, here too, this seems certain... And if all this was due to an X-ray to come in the next few hours?
