Honda’s latest MotoGP next-level chassis has delivered a performance boost of up to four-tenths of a second, according to test rider Aleix Espargaro. This upgrade, introduced at recent races, has notably enhanced the competitiveness of the factory riders Luca Marini and Joan Mir.
Since the summer break, Marini and Mir have raced the updated RC213V, gaining a clear pace advantage relative to the satellite team led by Johann Zarco, who has yet to receive these updates. Mir achieved a season-best sixth place at the Austrian Grand Prix in August, while Marini excelled with a strong showing at the new Balaton Park race in Hungary. Marini was also well-positioned at the Catalan Grand Prix before a late tyre drop caused him to slip from fifth to eighth in the final laps.
Contrast in Performance Among Honda Riders
While the factory riders have benefited from Honda’s innovation, Zarco’s performance has suffered without access to the latest chassis. The Catalan GP marked his eighth consecutive race finishing outside the top 10 or ending in retirement, highlighting the performance gap created by the new technical developments.
The primary upgrade responsible for these improvements is Honda’s new chassis, initially tested by Aleix Espargaro during a private session in Barcelona. Espargaro’s enthusiastic feedback played a pivotal role in pushing for wider adoption of the component within the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) team.
Espargaro’s Enthusiastic Endorsement of the Chassis
Before the Catalan GP, Espargaro shared his reaction to testing the new chassis, describing the experience as transformative for the team’s performance.
One month ago, I arrived here and one of the items for testing was a new chassis,
—Aleix Espargaro, Honda HRC
I tested it and I couldn’t believe the difference. It was amazing. I did many back-to-backs and I said to the engineers, it’s not possible, this chassis is next level.
—Aleix Espargaro, Honda HRC
So when I finished the test, I said to Romano [Albesiano], ‘you have to bring the chassis to Joan and Luca’.
—Aleix Espargaro, Honda HRC
He said, ‘no, they will not test during the grand prix’. I said, ‘yeah, they will. I will text them and I will say that they have to’. And I texted both of them and I said, ‘you guys need to test this chassis. It’s really a big step’.
—Aleix Espargaro, Honda HRC
I didn’t expect to improve that much here in Barcelona. And they tested it, and both Luca and Joan liked it so much. So obviously, I agree with Luca that the last [few] circuits were quite strange.
—Aleix Espargaro, Honda HRC
But I tested in Barcelona and the chassis was three, four tenths faster. Honda is working hard, and I’m happy to see the progress.
—Aleix Espargaro, Honda HRC
Mir’s Measured Perspective on the Chassis Benefits
Joan Mir offered a more cautious evaluation after the Catalan GP. While acknowledging the new chassis’s advantages in certain areas, he pointed out that it demands adaptation and has affected how he leverages his braking strength.
It’s not the one thing that you put on the track and straight away you feel better. You have to work a bit and trust a bit on it, and [spend some] time testing,
—Joan Mir, Honda HRC
It’s not something that comes to me very naturally. I don’t feel so good with that at the moment. I think we penalised a little bit on my strong point, which is braking in the second part, and now I cannot do it anymore with this chassis.
—Joan Mir, Honda HRC
Then, the natural turn looks like it’s a bit better. But normally, I make the turn before. Now, ok, there I turn more, but I want to turn here. We are just trying to understand [it].
—Joan Mir, Honda HRC
Implications for Honda’s Future MotoGP Campaign
The introduction of the next-level chassis marks a crucial step in Honda’s efforts to enhance the RC213V’s competitiveness, especially against escalating challenges from rival teams. Espargaro’s advocacy accelerated the rollout among factory riders, while Mir and Marini continue to adapt their riding styles to fully capitalize on the new hardware.
As testing and development persist, the effectiveness of this chassis could influence Honda’s strategy for the remaining races of the season and beyond. With the satellite team still awaiting comprehensive updates, disparities within the Honda lineup may remain a factor affecting overall team results.
