HRC did not expect miracles in World Superbike with an old and non-competitive machine, entered by the Moriwaki team which was debuting in this Championship. But she did not foresee such a debacle, with her drivers at the bottom of the standings in the Championship, and for example, last Sunday in Portimão, Takahashi finishing 48 seconds behind the winner, Kiyonari at 56 and Delbianco at 1'03. The world's leading manufacturer has decided to react for 2020.
First of all, the current motorcycle will be replaced by the CBR1000RR Fireblade which will be presented next month at the Tokyo Motor Show. HRC officials announced that the new motorcycle will be equipped with the “ most powerful in-line four-cylinder engine » of all those who equip current Superbikes. Testing with Pirelli began in Japan several months ago.
On the management side of these motorcycles, the presence of Moriwaki is not guaranteed, some personnel of which have been contracted by Honda for 2020, while others have been released. There should be no changes from Althea Racing.
All management will be handled by the company of Alberto Puig, team manager of the Honda Repsol MotoGP team, which already subcontracts the “Honda Asia Talent Cup” for Honda. Puig will base its workshops and logistics in Barcelona.
The peak driver will be Ávaro Bautista, whom Honda recruited for an annual remuneration of 800 euros, which is double the 000 that Ducati offered him for 400.
According to Bautista, the agreement will be officially announced before the final European event at Magny-Cours on the last weekend of September: “ Next weekend there will be the Misano GP, then the following weekend the Aragon GP. Maybe we will make the official announcement in Aragon. It's better to wait for these two races, then we'll make our big announcement. Otherwise everyone will forget it because MotoGP dominates. ».
Honda driver this year, Leon Camier, injured at the end of May after his crash and shoulder injury at Imola, learned last weekend that there was no place for him at Honda in 2020.
The situation is different with his teammate Ryuichi Kiyonari, who scored one point less than the young Delbianco this year: The Japanese has a contract with HRC for next season and could be placed with Moriwaki.
Worst case scenario next year we will only see two factory machines with Bautista and Takahashi. At best, there will be five CBR1000RR Fireblade on the grid.
Photos © HRC, Ducati Aruba.it Racing
source: speedweek
