This season was also that of the disappearance of the Japanese MotoGP manufacturers. Neither Honda nor Yamaha were in a position to place one of their riders on the podium, which is pretty terrible considering their situation last year and disastrous compared to their grandiose history at the highest level. However, many mention the progress of the two firms, convinced, once again, that the return to the forefront is imminent. What is it really? Are we so close to finding Quartararo or Zarco in the parc ferme? Analysis.
The bad comparison
In my opinion, and this will be the thesis of this article, the progress of the Japanese is insignificant on a sporting level. In terms of dynamics and mentality, it's different, but we'll come back to that.
The progression is from my point of view completely illusory, this is what I will try to show you.
The Japanese are not giving up… yet. Photo: Honda
It all depends on the repository. In my opinion, many people make the mistake of comparing the month of May to the month of October, and not the month of October 2023 to the month of October 2024. Both Honda and Yamaha benefit from more flexible conditions for developing and testing, thanks to the concession policy. It is normal that over the course of a year, their progress is greater than for Ducati, which, from the start, must start very strongly. On the other hand, too few fans focus on the comparison between 2023 and 2024, which is edifying.
I am not talking about race time or lap time, because this argument is too often used in the media makes no sense. There are too many extrinsic parameters that can explain the improvement in pure performance from one year to the next (the tires, mainly). MotoGP is a competitive sport, so only comparison with others stands. A driver who finishes the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix in 41 minutes and 20 seconds and in 13th position does not progress if he finishes the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix in 40 minutes and 35 seconds but in 16th place. The same goes for the time in qualifying.
So let's talk about rankings, because it's the only irrefutable marker that validates everyone's progress. In the case of Yamaha and Honda, it is clear. Let's start with the winged firm first.
Honda at the bottom of the hole
In my opinion, the question of casting arises at Honda. I find it hard to see the contribution of a Mir. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Johann Zarco is the tree that hides the forest, and again,
it doesn't look like a big oak at the moment. Once again, many praised his performance at the end, as if it guaranteed a return to Honda's business. But what are these results? Three entries in the top 10 in 40 races. It's better than his teammates, okay,
but I'm not surprised. Zarco, upon arriving at Honda LCR, positioned himself quite easily as the best member of the squad. Last year, however, Honda did much better. Let's exclude the Marc Marquez factor, because he is exceptional in the first sense of the word, firstly, and secondly, because Honda let him do this bike.
I would like to remind you that Alex Rins won a Grand Prix on this RC213Vand this just after finishing second in the Sprint in Austin! By the way, I don't think Alex Rins, who was also discovering the Honda LCR, was better than Zarco this season. Let's not forget that this same Rins, in just seven races, had three top 10 finishes on Sunday, a feat that our national Johann was not able to achieve. Joan Mir, totally in the west in 2024, also finished fifth in the Indian Grand Prix.
From there, and taking into account the results, how can we speak of progression, on the one hand; and on the other,
how can we imagine a path of hope?
Yes, it was better at the end than at the beginning, especially for Zarco and Marini. But if we zoom out a little, Honda has just had the worst campaign in its MotoGP history, and nothing suggests a rebound next year except the state of mind – which we will discuss at the end of this retrospective.
But for that, we'll have to wait until tomorrow, same time, same place for the second part. Until then, don’t hesitate to tell me what you think in the comments!
As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial staff.
Blacked out. Photo: Honda
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
