Takaaki Nakagami is one of the four Honda riders entered in MotoGP and he also made his comment during the presentation of the HRC troops on January 14. A revelation from the Tokyo ranks which had a particular tone this year. So, while in recent years, at Honda in MotoGP, it was Marc Marquez who was expected as the Messiah, this time, it is the new RC213V from which we hope for salvation. And the Japanese pilot did not contradict his peers or his compatriots on this front. Certainly, the first laps of the wheels at Sepang, at the beginning of February, will be worth the detour...
He is not a single pilot Honda en MotoGP, Marc Marquez except, who is not counting on the new RC213V to revive a battered career, especially since the last season. A trend that fits perfectly with the approach of a Nakagami who recognized: Last season was quite difficult for me. I had a few good races, but in general it was difficult, with many accidents. Neither me nor the team, however, gave up and, at the end of the season, during the Jerez tests, I was able to try a new bike. She has great potential, the first impression was very positive ».
Nakagami: “ this will be my 5th year in MotoGP, and it's time to have a great season«
An impression which is a general trend among Honda : " all the pilots think like me and I can't wait to start » he continued. “ This will be my 5th year in MotoGP, and it’s time to have a great season. In 2021 we struggled a lot to find grip at the rear, we tried a lot of things but the problem remained. We struggled both in qualifying and in the race, I had to take more risks and I crashed a lot ».
« The new motorcycle represents a big improvement in this point of view, as well as in engine performance. Progress has been made in many areas, even from the outside one can see a big change » rejoices the Japanese. “ The new bike is much better than the previous one, but of course we still have to try a lot of things » Taka nevertheless tempers himself. “ In Jerez we started to understand which direction to take and fortunately the comments from all the drivers were similar. We now have two tests, in Sepang and Mandalika, and they will be very important to be ready for Qatar. We will have to start from scratch, but if Marc comes back we will be 4 drivers working and that makes me happy. These will be very demanding test days ».
His team manager, Cecchinello, noted that Nakagami also had to work on his mental strength… “ Lucio told me this last season and I started working with a mental coach » finishes the Japanese. “ You can't change your personality, I'm going to have to improve race after race, I have to improve, and I'm curious to know in these first tests how much and how I will have changed and how I will be able to do it over time. of the season. It's not a one day thing ».
