Ken Kawauchi was one of many keys to the success at Suzuki on its return to MotoGP from 2015 and, along with Davide Brivio, he took cost of the technical aspect up till the Japanese producer stop the collection on the finish of 2022.
Alex Rins joined Suzuki on his MotoGP debut in 2017 and remained a part of the workforce till its racing division was closed final 12 months.
Each Rins and Kawauchi discovered refuge at Honda, Rins becoming a member of satellite tv for pc squad LCR whereas Kawauchi turned HRC technical supervisor and changed Takeo Yokoyama.
Since his first trip on the RC213V on the Valencia take a look at final November and up till his move to Yamaha in 2024 was announced within the build-up the British Grand Prix, the Spaniard had been calling for extra consideration from Honda, who he feels haven’t been as supportive as they may have been, regardless of its present disaster.
It was thought Kawauchi’s presence within the senior Honda ranks would have helped in that regard, however Rins mentioned that was removed from the case.
“My relationship with Ken to this point has been tremendous totally different to what it was at Suzuki, and really totally different to what I anticipated. I do not know if it has been on Ken’s aspect or Honda’s aspect, however the communication has been tremendous poor,” Rins mentioned on Autosport sister website es.motorsport.com’s Por Orejas podcast.
“I used to be anticipating the identical factor you had been anticipating. That, coming from Suzuki, the place we had been collectively for a few years, at Honda we’d additionally speak, we’d meet. It was in no way what I assumed.”
Ken Kawauchi, Honda technical director
Earlier than signing for HRC and becoming a member of satellite tv for pc squad LCR, Rins was provided the possibility to signal for Gresini, however finally opted for LCR as a result of the provide secured him a manufacturing facility rider deal.
However the elements and bike Rins had been competing with earlier than his damage in Mugello, for probably the most half, was totally different to what Marc Marquez and Joan Mir had within the manufacturing facility Repsol Honda squad.
“It is not that Honda did not give me technical help, it was extra a query of an absence of belief, of not relying on me for growth, of not believing in me anymore,” Rins added.
“For the reason that starting of the season, even because the Valencia take a look at final 12 months, my bike has been totally different from the manufacturing facility workforce. Even when it was in small issues, however totally different. In the long run you get used to it, however that is why I made a decision to signal for Yamaha.”
Rins is the one Honda rider to take victory to this point this season, triumphing on the Americas GP, and regardless of lacking the final 4 rounds he’s nonetheless the best positioned Honda rider.
“After successful in Texas every part stayed the identical,” Rins mentioned.
Rins has been out of motion since breaking his leg at Mugello in June however might be set to return to motion this weekend on the Austrian GP.