The Friday of the Japanese MotoGP Grand Prix was eventful for Honda, which is trying to defend its interests at home. While on the track, things seem more complicated than they were last week, on a very different track, off the track, things are evolving.
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) announced this Friday morning a major reshuffle within its development department, as the brand will welcome Romano Albesiano as technical director from next year.
The Italian will therefore leave Aprilia, after eleven years of service, to carry out the same transfer as Aleix Espargaro, future HRC test pilot, and try to restore color to the RC213V.
A relief for pilots
This news represents a historic choice for the brand, which will entrust this task to a European, to break with the sometimes too conservative character of Asian factories. A choice welcomed with great enthusiasm by the Honda drivers, who considered it necessary.
“I think the Japanese are doing an incredible job, but sometimes decisions take a long time to be made, and we can have delays with development, confides Johann Zarco on MotoGP.com after Testing in Motegi. Having new ideas, coming from European guys, could help the Japanese who will better exploit their efficiency at work. »
An opinion widely shared by Joan Mir, Luca Marini’s teammate in the official Repsol Honda team.
“It’s a very important signing, the Spaniard outbids. We need people like that on the team. With experience from other brands. A few years ago, Aprilia was in the same situation as Honda. In just a few years, he created a competitive motorcycle. He knows what needs to be done. Having a European among us, pushing in the right direction quickly, is something we need. »
New ideas which, in addition to that, stick with the philosophy of the Japanese factory in MotoGP, according to the reaction of Alberto Puig, director of the official team. “We think he fits the profile we were looking for. He has extensive competitive experience. We are very happy that he accepted. This will provide important support to our technicians. I think they can come up with a good plan together. »
Aprilia reacts and signs Sterlacchini
The Noale factory was quick to react to Albesiano’s departure, since in the minutes following the announcement it also made official the name of its next technical director. For its part, Aprilia has signed a former Ducati and KTM employee, in the person of Fabiano Sterlacchini. The latter will take up his duties quickly, since he will be on the factory stand wall from Monday November 18, 2024.
Which means that the latter will supervise the Official Test in Valencia, with his new team. As a reminder, in 2025 the Italian will collaborate with his compatriot, Marco Bezzecchi, and the current leader of the MotoGP championship, Jorge Martín.
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