Forced to review his semantics of “we are Honda” repeated over and over like an incantation intended to transform the lead RC213V into a machine worthy of the history of the brand with golden wings, Alberto Puig raised his head in Austin when he saw a opus HRC finally come to fruition. And what does it matter if he wore the colors of the LCR satellite while the official Repsol team of which he is the director had neither of its two drivers at the finish. A void which currently places the Tokyo factory structure last in the provisional general ranking dedicated to teams...
But experiencing such happiness is too rare among Honda so that we deprive ourselves of it. So there’s no question of ruining such a moment by being choosy. As a reminder, in Texas, alex rins allowed the world's leading manufacturer to return to the success that had eluded it since the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in 2021. And it had been five years since we had seen a driver Honda other than Marc Marquez thus dominate his subject and his opponents in MotoGP.
So yes, the moment was opportune to bring out a victorious speech, which was accomplished Alberto Puig : " If we look at the final result of the weekend in Austin, and we have to make a judgment, it is undeniable that it was a very positive weekend » rejoices the Spaniard, who, let us remember, is not in the squad of Lucio Cecchinello. But the Texan glory is that of the people Honda : " a Honda motorcycle won the Grand Prix and that's the goal we set for ourselves every weekend ". And he adds, as if in need of revenge: “ in recent months we have been questioned, but we have shown that our bike has good potential ».
Alberto Puig: “ we must be satisfied with the progress and evolution that has completed the bike in just a few races«
A potential which had also been called into question by Marc Marquez, who witnessed all this from his sofa, in front of his television with his injured hand and the sword of Damocles of the suspension of his sanction above his head... These words fromAlberto puig will not leave him indifferent: “ we really appreciated the commitment of Alex Rins during the Grand Prix. His driving, concentration and performance were what was needed » commented the team manager. “ He clearly demonstrated that he is a very fast driver ". But not only : " we must also recognize and be satisfied with the progress and evolution that has completed the bike in just a few races ».
Yes but, at the same time, Nakagami, Bradl et Mir have falled. The latter recorded his third retirement of the season following a fall. For Repsol colors worn by Alberto puig, Austin was a disaster after an Argentine Grand Prix where neither of its two bikes were on the Sunday starting grid at Termas de Rio Hondo. “ It is true that Joan Mir has a lot more potential. He must continue to improve his relationship with the bike and deepen his understanding and week after week he progresses” wants to explain Alberto Puig.
« A few falls complicated things, but we at HRC believe his potential is at least equal to that of Rins, because they have been racing together in the same team for many years and you could see the results they achieved together ". And he ends on GPone : " sooner or later, Joan will find what she lacks to truly understand motorcycling. He works a lot on his driving position and took a step forward in America ". See you now at the end of the month at Jerez for a Spanish Grand Prix which will mark the return of Marc Marquez within a house Honda who can no longer ignore alex rins.
