The recent performance of Honda at the Circuit of the Americas suggests that it may have been their worst weekend ever in the premier class. Last year, Honda had a victory with Alex Rins, but this time their newer version of the RC213V was not competitive. Honda finished last in every session except for Q2, which none of their riders made it to. They scored no points, becoming the first manufacturer to do so since Honda at Silverstone last August. Honda’s team manager, Alberto Puig, admitted that they are not heading in the right direction and the bike is not performing well. The riders are clearly unhappy with the situation.
There were mixed reactions from the riders after the COTA races. Joan Mir tried to remain positive, Luca Marini was emotionless, and Johann Zarco preached optimism. However, Takaaki Nakagami seemed the most agitated and disappointed. He described the moment as tough and unexpected. Nakagami expressed his disappointment with the bike’s performance, stating that they are slower than last year, which he finds impossible to understand.
The comparison between the 2023 and 2024 RC213V’s lap times at COTA further highlights Honda’s struggles. The newer version was consistently slower than its predecessor. Only one Honda rider managed to finish both races, while the others crashed or had technical issues. Mir described the situation as desperate, and Nakagami expressed his frustration, stating that they are lost and slower every lap.
The riders largely agreed on the reasons behind Honda’s struggles. The bike is not performing well in tight turns and lacks agility. Despite improvements in areas like acceleration, the loss of strong points has not been adequately compensated. Mir suggested that a fix may be needed on the engine side, but he also acknowledged that there are other issues with the bike’s balance and electronics.
Nakagami’s reaction is particularly understandable considering his uncertain future in MotoGP. As the third-oldest rider on the grid, there are doubts about his career continuing beyond this year. Despite his competitive performances, he is not getting the results he deserves. His disillusionment reflects the disappointment and grim reality of Honda’s start to the season.