Honda has done it. Thanks to the placing achieved by Luca Marini, the Japanese manufacturer has lost the technical concessions for the next championship and therefore from 2026 will have to fight it out on an equal footing with Aprilia and KTM, just one step below Ducati. Although aware that it still has a lot to do to compete at the same level as them, the prevailing mood is one of satisfaction.
"It's a seventh place that counts for so much, so I'm happy. It was good to see the guys in the pit box happy, as well as the test team who will now be able to enjoy more time at home with their families. In particular, though, it made me see the Japanese very happy since this was an important goal for them and they really wanted to do it. At least tonight we will have something to celebrate while knowing that we are still far from our goal. We have to enjoy the day," he said smiling.
Was it the race with the most pressure of the year?
"No, it's always the same in the end. You always try to do the best possible result. Definitely the last few laps when I was far away from Alex Marquez and Aldeguer, as well as from Miller who was following me, I slowed the pace so as not to crash, considering that with the front it had become hard. At that moment it was more important to bring home the result."
You seemed to have more pace. Then what happened?
"My rear tyre dropped a lot. When Fermin passed Jack he pushed hard and took advantage, while I, as soon as I tried to pass the Yamaha, experienced a rear tyre drop. I knew that tyre wear would be crucial, so from the first lap I tried to manage it. However, as soon as I pushed a little bit I was amazed at the drop. At that point I waited for it to happen to Jack as well, and when he came out badly in the last corner, I took his slipstream and tucked him in without taking any risks."
Yours was a weekend on the up....
"My crew chief was able to make the right interventions, as well as the electronics guys, so from yesterday to today we made a good step forward. Even though I had only managed to complete one lap yesterday in the Sprint, I had reported some feelings, such as excessive wheelie behind the other bikes. I knew that a couple of electronic things could also be adjusted and in fact I rode much better today. So thanks to the whole team because the result regarding concessions is also thanks to their incredible work."
Was there a decisive moment in the comeback?
"Yes, there definitely was although I can't think of it now. Certainly the new engine gave us an important step forward having given us a couple of tenths in the straights and taken away some fatigue in the corners, as well as some risk."
This has been a positive season for you were it not for that missed podium....
"Patience. A top 3 wouldn't have changed us much. What matters instead is to improve and be consistently on the podium next year, have a good test on Tuesday and a relaxed winter with progress being a time when we can do a lot. Espargarò is very positive in that sense, but I prefer to keep my feet on the ground and we will see how it will be after testing the bike. From what I know we will have important updates in every area."
What track might be ideal for your bike?
"I don't know, certainly one where there is a lot of grip, so at others the rear pushes a lot on the front, while we are relaxed and searching for even more grip."
At what stage are you in development?
"The more new things the better in general, but we are no longer at that stage where we need big changes. Now we need to focus on the details. Having three new chassis will not make us improve four tenths. We simply have to figure out what we are missing and work on that specific aspect and then move on to the others since we are not lacking in one area."
Photo Credit: Pier Luca Brunetti