MotoGP, Yokoyama (HRC): “Focused on developing the new engine”

The current MotoGP season has been short on results for Honda, which has only one win to its name, scored by Marc Marquez at the Sachsenring. Aside from this, none of the other three riders, Alex Marquez, Takaaki Nakagami and Pol Espargaro, has achieved any particularly strong results and one of the reasons for this is technical in nature. The RC213V struggles in various situations, the technicians in Japan working hard to resolve these issues.

 The main problem

Interviewed by Spanish website Marca.com, HRC technical director Takeo Yokoyama explains: “Our biggest problem relates to the rear tyre introduced last year, which we are unable to fully exploit. We’re working on it and are improving; we need to see if we can reach the level of our rivals”.

Development has also been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic: “Many people at the factory are working from home with only a limited number allowed in the offices. But, despite this, we’ve been able to do some things, like the frame”. Which has appeared on the #93 Honda: “We could only produce one unit and decided that he should be the one to try it. We’re not currently fighting at the front and so we’re interested to have his feedback”.

 The efforts are focused on the engine

Aside from this, Honda is busy working on the engine: “As it's frozen by the regulation, we’ve been working on development for two years. We’ve had limitations due to the pandemic and the 2022 engine could be radically different”.

The goal is clear: "We are aiming to retain the same power and top speed, because some of our rivals are clearly quicker than us, but we’re also focusing on other aspects like braking, corner entry, traction. We want to gain something in all areas. We’re right in the middle of the process and are looking for real progress”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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