The Japanese brand Honda, once the undisputed queen of MotoGP, is currently going through a difficult period. The results of the 2024 season have highlighted the shortcomings of the RC213V and the need for radical change which the arrival of Romano Albesiano as new technical director symbolizes. Drawing on his experience at Aprilia, where he helped make the RS-GP a competitive motorcycle, the Italian is responsible for bringing the RC213V back to life. An ambition that attracted the attention of Gigi Dall'Igna who made Ducati a winning machine. He assesses the scale of the challenge awaiting his former colleague from Noale…
The panorama of Honda in MotoGP is more complex than ever. After a disappointing 2024 season marked by zero podiums and only 75 points in the constructors' championship, the Japanese brand is beginning a profound technical and organizational overhaul. The objective is clear: to regain the competitiveness that once made Honda a titan of MotoGP.
One of the major decisions of this restructuring is the arrival of Albesian Romanformer technical director ofAprilia. Known for transforming the RS-GP into a race-winning motorcycle,
Albesiano is now tasked with resurrecting the RC213V.
However,
Dall'Igna's teethPDG de Ducati Corse, with en garde : « Romano has a big challenge ahead of him. He will have more financial resources, but he will also have to face a completely different mentality and work philosophy. This kind of transformation doesn't happen overnight.
»
Honda recruited the architects of the success of Suzuki and Aprilia but still cannot take advantage of them
Pour Albesianothe challenge is twofold:
reorganize a structure traditionally dominated by Japanese engineers and introduce innovative concepts capable of competing with European machines like the Ducati Desmosedici or the Aprilia RS-GP.
Honda also turned to experienced profiles to support Albesiano. Aleix Espargaróformer factory driver Apriliajoins the team as a test pilot. With Takaaki Nakagami et Ken Kawauchiformer technical director of Suzuki, the development team now benefits from varied expertise.
Espargarowho worked with
Kawauchi chez Suzuki in 2015 and 2016, brings its valuable experience in the development of competitive prototypes. This trio will be essential to translate the concepts ofAlbesiano in concrete solutions on the RC213V.
For the 2025 season, Honda will line up on the track: Joan Mir et Luca Marini in the official team as
Johann Zarco and the beginner Somkiat Chantra at LCR. These choices reflect a balance between experience and potential, but the absence of a true leader capable of developing the bike on track remains a challenge.
And Honda showed timid progress, such as 8th place in Johann Zarco at the Thai Grand Prix, the overall results were far from what one would expect from such an iconic brand.
Albesianoin addition to the technical aspect, will have to tackle the strategic challenge of making the RC213V attractive to the best talents in the championship. Without a high-performance motorcycle,
Honda risks losing even more ground to manufacturers like Ducati et
Apriliawhich continue to attract high-level drivers.
The restructuring carried out by Honda is ambitious, but the obstacles are numerous.
Albesian Roman brings recognized expertise, but he will have to navigate a different corporate culture and manage colossal expectations.
With rivals like Ducati et
Aprilia which continue to progress, 2025 could be a decisive year for Honda. If the transformation succeeds, the brand could begin a lasting return to the top. Otherwise, the chasm could widen further, threatening his place among MotoGP's elite.
