Regardless of displaying some spectacular indicators of restoration over the winter, and benefitting from a brand new concession system that got here into pressure this yr, Honda has struggled to make a lot progress at the start of the 2024 season.
Approaching this weekend’s French Grand Prix, it sits on the backside of the constructors’ standings on simply 13 factors, having failed to interrupt inside the highest 10 even as soon as throughout the opening 4 rounds of the yr.
Honda has been engaged on a brand new ‘lab bike’ whose growth is led by take a look at rider Stefan Bradl, however each manufacturing unit rider Joan Mir and Johann Zarco had been unimpressed with the way it behaved on observe – with Zarco even going again to the previous-spec bike on the current Jerez take a look at.
Talking about Honda’s current run of kind, Puig mentioned the group remains to be determining the place it needs to be heading with the event of the RC213V.
“If we are able to perceive the path to go, we are able to attempt to take steps ahead,” he mentioned. “In fact, lots of the belongings you uncover aren’t computerized. You in all probability will not be capable of use them within the subsequent grand prix, however you can begin getting ready different elements.
“Now we have to proceed doing what we’re doing. We’re working arduous. Honda just isn’t sleeping, that is one thing I’ve to say. The one sure factor is that we have now not but been capable of finding the path we hope and need.”
Puig’s remarks are in distinction with the feedback made by race rider Mir, who felt Honda had discovered a ‘clear path’ with its MotoGP idea on the post-Spanish GP take a look at. That was regardless of the 2020 champion additionally rejecting the ‘lab bike’, which he had ridden beforehand in a non-public take a look at.
Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Puig made it clear that Honda is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to return to the entrance of the grid and is now making the most of its whole four-rider roster to check new elements, that are being launched at an more and more speedy price.
The Japanese marque has additionally been working intently with its satellite tv for pc team LCR this season, which suggests each new recruit Zarco and protege Taakaki Nakagami have a task to play in shaping the RC213V.
“I can say kind of what we have now been saying in current months: We are attempting many, many issues, and we’re looking for an answer as a result of we’re nonetheless not clearly the place we wish to be,” he mentioned.
“Now we have 4 riders and we are attempting to make use of all of them to strive various things. So everyone seems to be making an attempt various things. We’re looking for the very best combos, after all.
“Stefan Bradl examined the bike and we collected a variety of knowledge. The sensations had been good. It is not unhealthy. It is not excellent, there are issues to enhance.
“I can not give a selected remark, however I believe the Jerez take a look at is essential, as a result of we have now all 4 drivers making an attempt various things, totally different combos, and on the finish of the day we could have some necessary conclusions.”