The departure of Marc Marquez left a big void at Honda, but the Japanese brand, determined to bounce back, took a bold step by recruiting Romano Albesiano, the current technical director of Aprilia, to supervise the development of the RC213V from 2025 The move is particularly welcomed by Repsol Honda riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini, who see Albesiano as a beacon of hope to transform the team’s performance on the track.
Joan Mir2020 MotoGP world champion with
Suzukisees in this appointment a major growth opportunity for Honda. The Spaniard stressed the importance of integrating a different vision, inspired by the evolution thatAprilia known under the direction ofAlbesiano : « he was there when Aprilia had to overcome challenges similar to ours today. He knows what it takes to turn things around, and I’m confident he can bring that perspective to us. » Mir also hopes that this appointment will be able to accelerate the pace of development of the motorcycle, which he often finds too slow: “ Japanese engineers are talentedbut it is crucial to reduce our response time so we can finally close the gap. »
Luca Marinifor his part, is just as enthusiastic. Although he joined Repsol Honda
this season, he recognizes the impact thatAlbesiano
could have on the team: “ Aprilia has made impressive progress in grip and handling. Albesiano can help us understand and exploit this corner grip, which is crucial when exiting corners.. »
« I don’t think Romano Albesiano will change Honda’s entire philosophy, but he will be an important addition »
The Italian driver, however, remains cautious: “ I don’t think Albesiano will change Honda’s entire philosophy, but
he will be an important addition. »
Marini is optimistic about recent progress Honda. According to him, the brand has succeeded in reducing the performance gap compared to
Ducati from two seconds to one second, an encouraging sign of the direction the team is heading: “ we still have a way to go, but the team is working hard,
and I think next year we will be more competitive. »
Albesianowhich succeeds
Ken Kawauchiwill bring his vast experience and understanding of innovation processes to a team that aspires to regain its former prestige. His arrival is seen as a factor of renewal, and Mir et
Marini are determined to make the most of this new era. The Spanish pilot sums up their optimism thus: “ everyone at Honda shares the same goal
: win victories again. »
While Honda continues its transformation, collaboration with Albesiano should breathe new dynamism into the team, aligning technical talents from Japan and Europe towards the same goal: returning to the summits of MotoGP.
