Alvaro Bautista had been poached by Honda from Ducati at great expense to spearhead a new CBR triple R project which was sure to impress. Two seasons later, the HRC machine is barely noticed while the Spanish rider returns to where he began his adventure in WSBK, on the Panigale V4R. He takes stock of this parenthesis just like Leon Haslam, the future is far from assured on the Japanese opus, and who now claims 300 world starts...
At Honda, we don't show off. In MotoGP, it is difficult to move forward despite the return of the phenomenon Marc Marquez and in WSBK, the new CBR triple R model does not make sports car fans dream. It does not make pilots fantasize any more since Baptist decided to leave the premises: “ I'm happy for next season, even if for the moment I'm focusing exclusively on this one. The Ducati? I don't know if it will be like two years ago, I will tell you after the tests or in 2022 » commented the Spaniard on his decision to return to the Borgo Panigale clan.
The fact remains that despite this, and surprisingly given what he could still learn from the Japanese to inform the Italians, he will continue his work: “ between now and the end of the season I will continue to develop the bike, and next week we will have a test in Jerez to try new components. If the things we are going to try work, we could gain a few tenths to get closer to the podium. Personally, I will do my best between now and the end of the season, paying particular attention to improving my performance rather than my race position ».
The same Baptist also gives advice on the possible appearance of the next team: “ I am not the person who makes these decisions. Personally, I have nothing against anyone, even if I hope Haslam is confirmed, since he developed the bike and knows it well. If you also change Leon, it means having to start from scratch. Léon is certainly a fast driver ».
Bautista wants Leon to stay home
Exactly, what does it say Leon Haslam ? At 38 years old, nothing is certain and he could return to his national BSB: “ I feel comfortable with my experience and I know what I'm doing. For my part, I am happy and very confident. Our results aren't the best, but that's where we are “, he declared in Magny-Cours. “ I would like to stay at Honda because I believe in this project and in HRC. It's been a difficult two years and we've worked a lot ».
Will it be heard? Nothing is less certain. But if this were not the case, he warns possible successors of what awaits them… “ With every race and every test we move a little further, that's the way Honda works. And we know which direction to take. Unfortunately, we have many restrictions and rules that we must follow. Our testing days are limited and our six engines are sealed, so unfortunately we can't change much », Underlined the Englishman.
He finishes : " we can't rebuild the whole bike overnight, it's a long development process. It's about getting the most out of the bike, the tires and the situation ". So Sykes, Davies, Lecuona and other Virgin that rumor places at the helm of this Honda, warned.
