MotoGP, Alberto Puig Honda: “we are always looking for the best compromise or the best setting”

Alberto Puig recalls that during the recent official MotoGP pre-season tests in Qatar, the Repsol Honda riders faced difficulties, notably due to health problems affecting Luca Marini and Joan Mir, who were not able to work as much as They would have liked it on the Losail track. Despite the team's presence at the Sepang Shakedown a few weeks ago and their unlimited access to testing thanks to the new concession system, the brand has still not found the progress they are looking for.

Alberto puig explained the challenges encountered during these trials: “ unfortunately, our two pilots were ill. Luca had a stomach virus and so did Joan so they haven't been on the track as much provided that ", did he declare. This situation limited the team's work, although their presence probably would not have made much difference.

Puig stressed that the package was not ready for them, and that the search for the best compromise or tuning for the Grand Prix was still ongoing: “ we couldn't do that many tests. But the package is not ready. Not because our riders weren't able to test it as much as they wanted, but because we're always looking for, let's say, the best compromise or the best setting for the Grand Prix. And this is the current state of affairs. We know where we have progressed and we know where we need to improve ».

He also said the team was trying to speed up as much as possible to get the necessary parts and upgrades before the start of the Championship. They are aware that the work is not limited to the aerodynamics and that they also have to adjust other aspects of the bike.

Alberto Puig: “ we are trying to understand what are the best options »

On this point, Alberto puig also underlined the importance of the global approach in improving the performance of MotoGP current: “ we understand this is a package. So it's not just aerodynamics that we have to work on. We also need to fix other things on the bike. These days you can't intervene on a single thing with these motorcycles. We believe we can improve in other areas as well. So that’s what we’re looking for. ».

However, Honda et Yamaha will benefit from the new concession system, with the possibility of testing on any track in the Championship in an unlimited manner. Alberto puig mentioned that they are working on different options and have a plan in progress, emphasizing that the program will be useful for the development of the motorcycle in 2024: “ we're trying to figure out what the best options are and we have some sort of plan. This is not yet a closed plan. But yes, the program will be interesting and useful for the development of the motorcycle in 2024 », concluded Puig.

It will be recalled thatAlberto puig has seen its professional environment seriously evolve in recent weeks, under the leadership of Honda which has reorganized its HRC troops at the highest level. The announced departure of Tetsuhiro Kuwata, director of HRC, marks the third high-level personnel change at Honda since 2022. These changes include the removal of technical director Takeo Yokoyama and the general director of the technological development division Shinichi Kokubu. But the Spaniard's position as team manager was not impacted.