Alberto puig is the new team manager of the powerful Repsol Honda team. He succeeds this position to Livio Suppo, Racing Consultant and he brings a different character to it. We know that the Spaniard is a monster of demands, eternally dissatisfied and in a general mood not inclined to indulgence. So many elements that emerge when taking stock of a Grand Prix du Qatar which marked the debut in his new role during an official competition…
On this first event at Losail, he comments: “ strategy was the key element. It was crucial to preserve the tires during the first four or five laps. Our drivers had opted for a hard compound at the front and we were worried about the low temperatures on the track at the start of the race. Our drivers managed the start quite well, everything went well. This was our objective for the first part of the Grand Prix ».
As for what’s next… “ What is positive is that we managed to get on the podium even though the Losail track has always been difficult for the Hondas. This is therefore a good result compared to last year. So it's clear that we've made progress. ". Discharge is therefore given to Márquez, second, while another Honda, that of Crutchlow, finished fourth. Pedrosa, second official driver, finished a little further back… “ We were confident that Dani could ride with the leading group and fight for the podium. But he had a problem with his rear tire. This handicap had a negative impact on the overall result of the team ».
And the surgical expertise of Puig even goes so far as to take stock of the situation in the stands: “ I watched the race from the pit wall because after a few laps our screens broke. The technicians fixed that but it was also thanks to the Honda generator ". No doubt, everything will have to go well at Honda this season.
