Honda have strengthened their team behind the scenes as they look to escape the MotoGP slump. The most successful team on the grid finished bottom of the championship last year.
With the same line-up of riders in the factory team, Johan Zarcon with rookie Somkyat Chantra staying at LCR, they made headline purchases off the track. Technical director Romano Albesiano has joined Aprilia.
Tester Stefan Bradl says: Honda have sent a ‘clear message’ to their rivals by signing Albesiano.. It’s the first time they’ve hired a non-Japanese engineer for the role.
Albesiano replaced Luigi Daleignano at Aprilia and helped the factory team win the premier class. Honda He was also interested in the old man.
Dall’Igna has been the general manager Ducati Since 2014, it is a tool to increase their dominance. Like Albesiano, he comes from an engineering background.
Elsewhere, Ducati have added the retired Aleix Espargaro and Takaki Nakagami to their test line-up. Espargaro will be reunited with Albesiano, his former colleague from Aprilia.
Honda’s Japanese hierarchy refused to move Luigi D’Aligna
Writing in chapter preview MotoMattersJournalist David Emmett discusses the failure of Honda’s Dall’Egnan move. It can be the center of ‘succession’ of senior management.
However, Emmett’s ‘understanding’ Honda’s Japanese bosses were reluctant to hire Dall’Igna. This is surprising given the history at Ducati.
The Bologna team has won five construction championships in a row and is set to extend the streak in 2025. It brought an era of European dominance.
Once again, it was Albesiano who created the consensus. A win this time would be a breakthrough, and could signal a culture change for a team that has won 25 titles.
Luigi Daligna’s Interesting Response to Adrian New Comparisons at Ducati MotoGP Team
Interestingly, in a recent interview, Dall’Igna admitted that he is not popular in the MotoGP paddock. This is probably because it is seen as a symbol of Ducati’s dominance.
His team has pioneered key innovations of the series in recent years. This includes the controversial ride height device, which will be phased out for 2027.
Dall’Igna has been dubbed the Adrian Ney of MotoGP.But he rejects that comparison. He indicated that as team boss, he had more responsibilities than an Aston Martin F1 designer.
Honda seems content with Alberto Puig for the time being, poaching Albesiano to work under him. They will be unveiling their 2025 bike on February 1st.
Related topics
