Alberto Puig has not yet made his return to the Repsol Honda stand, but from his television, he was able to take stock of the last Spanish Grand Prix, well informed by his Repsol troops. The Spaniard thus recognizes that neither he nor the RC213V are currently in great shape. Like almost half of its pilots, shaken by falls... Times are tough at the moment for the winged coat of arms.
Alberto puig was the great absentee from the Portuguese Grand Prix, thus missing the event of returning to the box that he directs from Marc Marquez. Plagued by health problems, however, he seems to be doing less badly than during the Portimao deadline since he makes an analysis of the last Spanish Grand Prix. In a new position however. The kind of one to which Marc Marquez had to put himself under pressure for nine months...
The director of the Repsol team says: “ the view from the pit wall this time was for me that of my television. Unfortunately, I couldn't be with my team due to a health problem, and I had to watch the Grand Prix on television. The view from home is not the same as from the pit wall, but I was able to follow the race. What I can confirm from this weekend is that MotoGP is more stressful to watch from the couch than if you are racing. ».
It was therefore through the cathode ray tube that he shared the suffering of his pilots, not being in the best condition himself. Difficult conditions which are also the lot of the RC213V. That is to say if we bow our heads at Honda right now to get through this bad period… “ As the drivers did not start from strong positions, the first objective was to start well and gain positions, getting closer to the leading group to follow their pace and save tires for the rest of the race » he recalls.
« I saw Marc have a few moments with other drivers at the start, but he tried to recover. Marc and Pol both finished the race despite their previous crashes » says Puig. « Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaró have recovered from their big falls. Marc, despite two very rapid falls, was able to finish the race ten seconds behind the leader, which, importantly, brings them three seconds closer to the winner compared to Portugal ».
Alberto Puig: “we are doing our best, we will bring new parts soon”
Less than Honda still had a pilot at the forefront. And he logically receives the honors from the Spaniard: “ Taka Nakagami was in attack mode and he showed his character this weekend. We are happy with his performance. Nakagami's race was one of the very positive points of Sunday in Jerez. He overcame his physical problems that he suffered during his fall at Portimao, and he showed that he is very strong mentally. Taka wasn't in perfect condition, but he had a good race and was only 0,7s away from his first podium in the premier class ».
Puig is more expeditious about the fate of his teammate at LCR: “ unfortunately, Alex Marquez, crashed on the first lap after being hit by another driver ". In this case it wasIker Lecuona.
But the overall performance of his troops revealed above all a problem at Honda. And Alberto puig readily admits: “ as Honda HRC, we understand that we are facing problems with the motorcycle. But we have already been able to recognize them. We are doing our best, we will bring new parts soon and we are ready. We are already working very hard, to give the best of ourselves to the drivers for the next races ". The next one will take place at Le Mans on May 16, as part of the French Grand Prix. MotoGP.
