Two-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoner has expressed serious concerns about Honda's strategy and the team's internal dynamics. After his experience with Honda and his transition from Ducati, Stoner noted ongoing problems within the team, including a lack of preparation for future challenges and poor management of rider relationships.
Casey Stoner criticized Honda for having favored Marc Marquez to the detriment of other pilots like himself and Dani Pedrosa, which led to a feeling of exclusion and problems with cohesion within the team. He pointed out that prioritizing a single driver can lead to difficulties when that driver experiences performance or confidence issues, as was the case with Marquez.
This approach may have contributed to internal tensions and a lack of collaboration, which ultimately affected the development of the bike whose declining standard was the driving force behind rider frustration. Criticism towards the motorcycle had a negative impact on the brand image of Honda in the world of racing. If riders do not feel supported or if they believe that the bike is inferior to those of competitors, this can damage the reputation of the brand, says the Australian.
« There are so many bad press around Honda because everyone thinks it's shit they all want to leave » notes Casey Stoner on Gazzetta.it. " No matter how prepared you are, people don't want to go. Unfortunately, among pilots, very few are willing to do things on their own. They will look at what others are doing and want what they have. They will always find an excuse to explain why they are not getting results and will say the motorcycle is the problem. This rather than going to work and saying 'I have this amazing team with a track record, let's work together and make the most of it' ».
Casey Stoner: “ we saw Honda win comfortably in Austin. So how can it be so bad at the end of the year? This is my question »
Casey Stoner also calls into question the extent of the difficulties of Honda, emphasizing that the brand notably won the Grand Prix of the Americas at Austin last year with alex rins. This raises questions about how problems are perceived within the team and how they are managed and communicated: “ we saw Honda win comfortably in Austin. So how can it be so bad at the end of the year? That's my question. It can't be that bad. Rins then got injured and everything went wrong. Marc Marquez was struggling with his confidence so there was no one to lead the way. Without a leader, everyone will blame the bike ».
Stoner don't stop there. He also discusses the difficulties encountered by Honda due to changing regulations, which he believes compromises the integrity of the competition. It highlighted the feeling of injustice among manufacturers, in particular Honda, which invest enormous resources into motorcycle development while facing rules that appear to favor certain competitors. And he makes this mention which will undoubtedly provoke a reaction: “Fins were supposed to be banned five years ago, but then they came in for the following season and the rules didn't change. Everyone could still have them. Why do you think this happens? Things happen under the table »...
