MotoGP, Marini: 'More people and less pressure, that's how Honda has improved'

Honda wrapped up the 2024 season by propping up the table. Today instead, after four race weekends, Honda occupies second place in the constructors' overall standings, albeit with a gap of almost one hundred points to Ducati. Despite not actually being able to reach a decent competitive level, the Japanese manufacturer is showing an improvement, all to the benefit of the morale of the riders who, aware that they can fight for at least the top 10 or even the top 5, have rediscovered the enthusiasm easily lost when things go wrong.

"Compared to 2024, we have made small progress in every area," Luca Marini said to Motorsport-total.com, "The staff has increased, we have more engineers, everything is more under control, and there is less pressure on everyone's shoulders. This also makes it easier to work on the circuit when the times between sessions are tight. In the face of this situation, the results are slowly coming in and the atmosphere is also better even though it was already good when I arrived."

Within the Japanese team pit garage and particularly in that of the rider from the Marche there has been an important change. Giacomo Guidotti left the team for Yamaha Prima Pramac and in this case Jack Miller, while he found himself inheriting the former KTM man Christian Pupulin as crew chief.

"I'm getting on very well with him. In the beginning it was not easy, we needed to mature a good understanding of each other and establish a connection, but I would say that starting in Argentina we found a base for the bike that I really like. Since then we have collaborated excellently. I also think he has brought new skills and his feedback is very good. Added to that he is a good person and it is great to have him with us. I must say that my whole group is incredible. We have fun working together," the 27-year-old concluded.