MotoGP test rider Stefan Bradl predicts a gloomy future: “Honda lacks courage and Marc Marquez is not getting any younger”

In case we have forgotten, Stefan Bradl reminds us that we have entered a year 2023 which will be revealing in many respects for Honda and Yamaha, the two Japanese factories still present in MotoGP. Given their status on the world market, these two big names in the motorcycle industry will have to react or die during this season against the firepower of Ducati, a brand which is theoretically only an economic dwarf compared to them. Completely defeated on the track, to the point that their previously vaunted working method and skills are now clearly identified as what should no longer be done, the Japanese will have to reinvent themselves, or even damn themselves by seeking to from outside the help they need. This will go through a cultural revolution. An upheaval that does not seem to happen tomorrow. And it's a Honda test rider who says it.

The place of the Japanese in MotoGP is a real topical question that the withdrawal of Suzuki placed under the sign of urgency. Davide Brivio, who knows them well, has already openly worried about the continuity of the projects Honda et Yamaha , torn to shreds by the audacity and ambitions of Ducati. In echo, Valentino Rossi notes that we have changed times and that the empire of the rising sun must find new means to succeed or risk experiencing its twilight. Others are similarly alarmed while Marc Marquez, who has discernment, understood that it was time to put his employer Honda facing its responsibilities.

He could not have been clearer when he said: “ Honda needs to change its approach. The Japanese are too conservative when it comes to development. With the Ducati, all the riders are fast. We need more than one step. We are run out of time. We cannot be world champions with this bike in 2023 ". In view of what represents Honda, one might think that, having learned the lesson, the next copy of the RC213V will be worthy of what is expected of a leading world manufacturer. An optimism that the test pilot Stefan bradl, well aware of the reality within the HRC, is struggling.

Stefan Bradl: “ Ducati showed courage and it falls on the heads of the Japanese now« 

Public chat speedweek, German does not speak the language of wood. He first insists on the fact that we should not doubt the great sincerity of Marc Marquez when he calls Honda to general mobilization. Because the Spaniard knows where he stands: “ he had four surgeries on his arm. In my opinion, he is aware of his state of health. This is why he now demands clear measures from the HRC » says the former Moto2 World Champion. “ Marc is celebrating his 30th birthday. He knows he still has two or three good years ahead of him. He wants a winning bike, he's said it many times ". Sure, but… " Marc didn't see the big steps he envisioned during the Valencia tests in November. He realizes that he will never be able to maintain such a high risk on the track in the long term. He must reduce it further and rely more on the motorcycle ».

On this point, Stefan bradl precise : " the falls do not fundamentally bother Marc. Crashes have always been part of his approach. But the falls didn't bother him that much as long as Sunday's results were decent. And then, he's not getting any younger ". SO Honda must do his homework. And that’s where the German drops the very bad news: “ Ducati showed courage as they have constantly made changes to their various devices and aerodynamics. As a result, Yamaha also fell behind a bit. Honda has never been at the forefront of such experimentation as Ducati has done in recent years. This is falling on the heads of the Japanese now. I notice that Honda lacks a little courage to experiment ". This 2023 vintage will indeed be crucial in various ways in MotoGP…