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There is a lot of work, so much work to be done to be able to close the gap from the competition. Luca Marini is fully aware of the situation and without mincing words he admits it at the end of the three-day Sepang test where his Honda ended up once again in chasing the competition.
Ahead of the rider from Tavullia there is an uphill climb, but Luca has no intention of throwing in the towel.
"Here in Malaysia we tried so many things and luckily we had three days of time available - he began - many things we discarded and a few things we kept instead, because they helped improve the package. Still not enough, though, because there is so much work to be done and we are far behind the others. At this point we need to understand what steps the others have taken: we have taken one. The fact is that if the other manufacturers have also made a step we are more or less in the same situation as last year. If, on the other hand, our opponents have taken two steps, we are even further away than 2024 while if they have taken zero steps we are closer. However, this we will find out only after the first race, considering that tonight we will have a meeting with the engineers and Mir."
What is your real feeling?
"I think at the moment the gap is the same as last year. The next test in Thailand will be very important to better prepare the bike for the race. Here at Sepang I think we improved the braking part of the bike and the turning compared to last year. For sure, it's still missing the engine, the top speed. This will be the key for try to have more potential in the future, during the season, especially to overtake. But the problem is that when you have a race it's difficult to overtake and then the bike goes super-hot, same problem with the tyres."
How about the new engine?
"Today I tried the new engine, it runs a little better, but we are far away. The fact is that the other manufacturers also bring a new engine and we are always there, in the same situation. The Japanese didn't have much time, plus they changed a lot of things about the operation. However, the delivery I must say is very good, the connection with the throttle is fantastic, but now we have to pull out as much horsepower as possible."
What has changed in the box compared to a year ago?
"Compared to 2024 there are a lot more things to try. We have to be good at getting things in order, trying to put down the best possible program. Right now we need to be aggressive, because the others are."
Yamaha is indeed.
"They were starting from a step above and they took a step forward. The problem is that we were starting further behind them, and as a result we will need one more step."
In what ways has this Honda surprised you?
"The bike is easier to ride, especially in managing the pace, in fact you can get into a rhythm. In qualifying, on the other hand, it is very difficult and you risk a lot."
What can you tell us instead about the crash
"Unfortunately I had a small crash at turn 9 when I was behind Mir, but nothing big."
Speaking of Mir, he took the floor after his teammate.
"The time in the morning affected my final chrono, because we don't have the perfect package and the track was not at its best for our qualities," he said, "Personally I felt good with the bike and the truth is that we are taking the right steps. We have tried different things here in Malaysia, this is the best test we have done and we have to be satisfied. We tried so many things, some of them satisfied us and some of them didn't."
What is Honda's Achilles' heel?
"The engine loses so much, plus we don't have grip at high temperatures. These are the aspects that affect us in fact we are suffering a lot. So we have to work better, but we have to be happy with what we have done. Unfortunately, here in Malaysia we have not been able to improve acceleration and rear grip,".
Can you explain why the engine suffers so much?
"The engine is crucial and this is the truth, especially looking ahead to next year. Here in Sepang I had a previous configuration and a new one. Making a comparison with the Ducati, our engine reaches 330-332 km/h pushed to the maximum. Bagnaia, on the other hand, with the Ducati gets to 340. It's a mix of many factors, which put together have an effect. At the moment we have improved by only one km but there are as many as 7 that are missing."
What is the balance of what Honda has done?
"The team has worked so much and in MotoGP there is no such thing as magic. If you work hard, however, sooner or later something you can see and that is what happened here in Malaysia, in fact I am happy for them. Is it enough? No, it is not enough, but we have certainly improved."
