This year, at Honda, the biggest revolution will perhaps be to have understood that we will have to start getting used to doing without Marc Marquez. Because the withdrawal of the eight-time World Champion this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix is particular in that it will have consequences on the official test to follow in Jerez, essential to determine the development of the RC213V in the coming years. month. Alberto Puig recognizes this but assures that, this time, there will be no postponement or delay in the work to be accomplished. There remains this sensitive, highly strategic and political question, the answer to which will have consequences on the balance between the drivers within the brand: who will test and validate the new products that will be offered this Monday in Andalusia?
Until there, Honda only listened Marc Marquez, according to an approach and a philosophy that Dani Pedrosa has already commented extensively. But the eight-time world champion is no longer there. Convalescing from a hand injury, which he says could end his career if worsened, the Repsol spearhead was the first to make his employer aware of the delicacy of the situation: “ of course it was a very important test because the next test in Misano. We will not have another test this season. They have other good drivers – Mir, Rins, Stefan Bradl. I can't help, I can't ride ».
Yes but this time, and this is the big difference since the last episodes of a sad soap opera started in 2020, there is a valid driver who wins on the RC213V. This is'Alex Rins, whose technical choices seem to differ from those of Marc Marquez. Third in the championship before this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, his influence is growing within the HRC which can only take his results into account, while he barely understands this motorcycle equipped with a V4, he who only knew the four-cylinder in-line until then.
On the situation, Alberto puig commented, not hiding that the disappointment was all the greater because it was an unpleasant surprise: “ we thought we could do it. But unfortunately it wasn't ready. It was last minute, Tuesday. We must follow the doctors' instructions. He was told the healing was going well, but unfortunately it's not healed yet. Madrid Hospital doctors, Mayo Clinic doctors and Red Bull doctors agree the bone is fine, but not ready for these activities ».
Alberto Puig: “ we have other very good drivers, this was proven last weekend »
The question alex rins face Marc Marquez will arise over the next few hours and Alberto puig recognizes him from Jerez: “ we have a plan and we will stick to it » he said before clarifying. “ The only thing that wasn't in the plan? That Marc is not there ". He adds : " maybe we will have to modify our plan a little... We have our evolutions and our pieces. We have a clear idea of what to test. But the question is who will test? ».
Public chat crash.net, the same Puig specifies that an arbitration will have to be made: “ this is something we need to discuss over the weekend. Of course, it's a big loss that we can't use it here for the whole weekend, for this race and for testing. But we will have to do our best. We have other very good drivers, this was proven last weekend ". One last mention which obviously alludes to the winner of the Grand Prix of the Americas…
He finishes : " we will do the test then share the information with the other drivers. We would like Marc to be there for us, but also for him, as a Spanish driver in Jerez, it's a special feeling. We will do our best and continues ”. Honda will truly discover that he can continue to compete in MotoGP without Marc Marquez, and depending on the results that result, conclusions will not fail to be drawn. From either side.
