Honda warn “we understand our problems” as resurgence gains pace

After back-to-back podiums for Johann Zarco in France and Britain, Honda was outside the top-three positions in a MotoGP race for the first time in two races at the Aragon Grand Prix, but Honda HRC Castrol boss Alberto Puig assures that the Japanese factory “clearly understands” its problems.

The post-race test at MotorLand offered an opportunity for teams to address some of the issues they have been facing in the opening eight rounds of the 2025 MotoGP season, as well as ones that cropped up in Aragon itself.

For Honda, it was a chance to try some new material, despite the absence of Luca Marini after his Suzuka 8 Hours testing crash.

“We are trying, as usual, many small things and some big ones,” said Honda HRC Castrol Team Manager Alberto Puig, speaking to MotoGP.com at the Aragon test.

“You saw us try a new swingarm.

“The rest are small things which can give us direction.

“Unfortunately we don’t have Luca here but Joan [Mir] and Johann [Zarco] will try, and Chantra will try other things.

“It’s too early to make comparisons but, for me, the most significant thing of a part, when it’s new, is the lap time.

“If the lap time is better you need to be, at least, reasonably happy.”

Honda reassure 'we are not stuck'

Puig added the reassurance that Honda is “not stuck” in its current position.

“We are not stuck,” he said. We are progressing step by step.

“We can understand that the bike is improving. The riders understand this.

“We clearly understand our big problems. In Japan, they are working hard on this.

“We always say the same thing – we will never give up.”

Joan Mir’s feedback after the test was also upbeat, feeling progress had been made in terms of turning thanks to a new swingarm.

“We tried many items,” the 2020 MotoGP World Champion said.

“We focused on turning, trying to get more grip.

“In terms of the engine, we didn’t get an upgrade here.

“It was positive, we tried a swingarm which was slightly better. It allowed us to approach the corner in a better way.”