Honda faced criticism for arriving at the official MotoGP test in Barcelona without significant updates or the much-anticipated 2025 prototype bike. While rival manufacturers used the seven-hour session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to test major upgrades for the upcoming season, Honda opted for a different approach.
Lack of New Components Frustrates Riders
The absence of fresh components particularly frustrated Honda rider Joan Mir, who expressed disappointment over the lack of new developments. “The reality is I didn’t have much to test. I’ve already tested everything before. I completed 70 laps with things I’ve tried at least twice,” Mir said.
Puig Explains Honda’s Strategy
Alberto Puig, Honda’s team manager, defended the decision, citing the manufacturer’s ability to conduct in-season testing under concession rules as a reason for not debuting major updates in Barcelona. “The 2025 prototype will be built when there’s something worthwhile,” Puig told DAZN. “We’ve tested many things throughout the year, so it didn’t make sense to bring a prototype here. We’ve had a ‘black bike’ for most of the year, so bringing one now wasn’t logical.”
Honda is planning a private test at Jerez later this month, where the team hopes to debut new upgrades for 2025. However, Puig acknowledged the importance of the Barcelona test, where manufacturers can directly compare data from the previous weekend’s race at the same circuit.
Focus on Addressing Vibration Issues
Puig emphasised that Honda’s primary focus in Barcelona was on identifying and resolving vibration issues that have plagued Mir in the latter stages of the 2024 season. “We’ve tested three important things this year, but we still don’t have a prototype.” The vibration problem is complex—it’s not a normal rattling but something much more significant, greatly affecting the rider. It’s the issue that concerns us the most.”
Honda’s Challenging 2024 Season
Honda ended the 2024 MotoGP season at the bottom of the constructors’ standings with 75 points, trailing Yamaha by 49 points. Their teams, LCR and HRC, ranked 10th and 11th, respectively, in the team standings. Honda’s best-performing rider, Johann Zarco, only managed to finish 17th in the riders’ rankings.
Despite the struggles, Honda showed signs of improvement late in the season, with Zarco achieving two top-10 finishes in the final six Grand Prix events.
“We ended the year feeling we had made progress,” Puig said. “The bike didn’t corner well before, but after Misano, it started to improve. Now, it corners much better.”
Positive Addition: Aleix Espargaro Joins as Test Rider
Honda received a boost in Barcelona with the arrival of three-time Grand Prix winner Aleix Espargaro as their new test rider. Espargaro placed 14th fastest during the one-day test, ahead of Mir and Marini.
Puig praised Espargaro’s contributions: “Aleix has speed, and we’re very happy with how he communicates his feedback—very clear and direct. I like the strength with which he speaks very objectively. It’s given us very interesting information.”
With improvements in late-season performance and the addition of Espargaro, Honda aims to turn its fortunes around heading into the 2025 MotoGP season.
