This is the earthquake that no one saw coming. Honda, which was thought to be doomed to languish at the bottom of the standings, has just slammed the door of purgatory to enter the circle of MotoGP speed monsters with a bang.
And step by step: in just a few months, the RC213V mutated, metamorphosed, and established itself as the fastest weapon on the plateauhumiliating in the process references such as Ducati, KTM… and even Aprilia.
You read correctly : Honda has become a rocket again. With 342 km/h reported, Marini et Mir shattered the records at ValenciaThe demonstration took place on the Ricardo Tormo circuit, at the end of the season.
For a brand that, at the beginning of the year, was the laughingstock of the speed sheets, this is what you call a turnaround worthy of a movie script.
Aleix EspargaróThe all-knowing test pilot explains: Honda has developped three engines different in the same season.
« Honda has deployed three different engine variants during the current season. This was expected, because We knew we were going to lose the concessions.They worked tirelessly all year. »
Honda developed three different engines in the same season
In short, while everyone was asleep, Honda He was working. While some were laughing, Honda was forging his revenge.
It all starts at MugelloThe new parts approved in Aragon transform the motorcycle: the progression is so violent that from then on, a rider Honda slips into the Top 5 for top speeds at every GP.
An unthinkable feat just six months ago. Six months ago, Honda It was the slowest. Today, it's the fastest. Just before the engine freeze: Honda struck at the last moment.
This power play comes on the eve of a new phase: Honda has just left status D of the concession system to join category C.
This means a fixed engine in 2026, with no further development possible, for the final technical sprint before the new 850cc regulations in 2027.
Et Honda He succeeded. Perfectly. Just before the doors closed.
The message is clear : Honda is back. The Tokyo brand hasn't just progressed: it has rediscovered its DNA, that of a manufacturer that moves forward with surgical precision and an engineer's cool demeanor… The only drawback to this progress lies in reliability In Portugal, John Zarco suffered technical failures during both races, a reminder that power must be accompanied by robustness. Joan mir also had to endure the ravages of mechanical problems.
HRC warned: they want to become champions again in MotoGPAnd what we saw at Valencia This is probably just a taste of what's to come.
