Honda continues its slow climb back up the MotoGP ladder, but Alberto Puig refuses to be complacent with the progress made. While the RC213V is now more consistent and performs better than last year, the HRC Team Manager acknowledges that the Japanese manufacturer is still far from its initial objectives. Above all, one factor now explains a large part of Honda's strategy: 2027 is already on everyone's mind.
The situation of Honda It's almost paradoxical in 2026. The riders themselves acknowledge that the bike is easier to handle and more consistent throughout a Grand Prix weekend. Yet, this improvement hasn't yet translated into spectacular results.
Alberto Puig, moreover, does not seek to embellish reality: We've made progress on the bike, improvements. But not so much in terms of results.. » The podium finish achieved at BarcelonaBefore the penalty that ultimately invalidated it, it showed that the RC213V is now capable of getting close to the best in certain circumstances. Honda had hoped for more after the progress seen at the end of last season. The main source of satisfaction, therefore, remains the return to consistency.
The most interesting statement ofAlberto Puig on motosan probably relates to the allocation of technical resources by the Japanese manufacturer. Honda is already actively working on its future 2027 MotoGP 850cc. A project that mobilizes a significant portion of the engineers and necessarily limits the developments made to the current motorcycle.
« We've made slight improvements to the motorcycle, but probably not enough to take it to the next level."This sentence sums up the manufacturer's situation." Honda is currently in a year of technical transition where it must arbitrate between immediate gains and preparing for the future.
Alberto Puig: “ What we have achieved and implemented on this motorcycle will be useful to us next year. »
Unlike Ducati ou ApriliaHonda can almost consider the 2026 world title no longer its primary objective. The arrival of the new regulations likely represents the best opportunity the manufacturer has had in several years to start almost from scratch. New 850cc engines, new tires PirelliSimplified aerodynamics and the disappearance of ride height adjustment devices will profoundly disrupt the current hierarchy.
Honda naturally hopes to take advantage of this technical revolution to return to the top of MotoGP more quickly. Puig He even openly admits it: What we have achieved and implemented on this motorcycle will be useful to us next year. »
Supporters of the Japanese manufacturer will therefore have to be patient. Alberto puig He warns that we shouldn't expect to see a completely transformed RC213V after the summer break. Major technical developments are now focused on the 2027 project.
The riders' mission will therefore be much more pragmatic: to optimize the existing settings and exploit the bike's current potential to the fullest. We still have many races ahead of us and we hope to improve our results.. »
The most interesting thing about what he saidAlberto Puig is perhaps what they reveal about the state of mind of HondaFor several years, the Japanese manufacturer sometimes seemed to be chasing miracle solutions to immediately regain its leading position. Today, the approach is much more rational and realistic.
Honda knows he still needs to lag several tenths of a second per lap to regularly compete with Ducati et ApriliaHonda also knows that it will probably not be able to close this gap before the regulatory revolution of 2027.
Rather than dispersing its resources, the Japanese manufacturer is now making a deliberate choice: to continue its progress in 2026 while methodically building the foundations for its return to the top.
When fabio quartararo et David Alonso have already signed up for the 850cc era, the true championship of Honda It may have already begun. It's simply not quite happening in 2026.
