The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League recently made headlines with the hiring of Aleix Espargaro as their new MotoGP test rider. This acquisition comes as a much-needed boost for Honda, who had a disappointing season in 2024. Despite showing promise in preseason, their redesigned RC213V failed to deliver in actual races. This resulted in their four full-time riders competing against each other, giving rise to the derogatory term ‘the Japanese cup’. Even Yamaha, another struggling team, is in better shape than Honda. However, with the addition of Espargaro, Honda hopes to change their luck.
Espargaro’s retirement from full-time racing made him an attractive prospect as a test rider. With his experience in development projects like Suzuki and Aprilia, he brings valuable expertise to the table. Honda wasted no time in securing his services, winning the race for his signature. This new role as a test rider is a relatively new concept but has proven crucial in improving performance. Ducati and Michele Pirro pioneered this approach six years ago, and now Yamaha and Honda must follow suit to compete with the Italians and KTM.
Espargaro’s arrival may also have a positive impact on Honda’s current factory rider team. The team is eager to retain the 2020 world champion, Joan Mir, despite his recent critical comments. Honda’s approach to convincing Mir to stay mirrors Yamaha’s successful retention of Fabio Quartararo, another former champion. By outlining a detailed plan for future success, Honda aims to persuade Mir that staying with the team is the right career decision for him.
Aside from Espargaro, Honda already has Stefan Bradl, a veteran tester, in its lineup. Although Bradl’s presence was highly valued when Marc Marquez was still with the team, his role remains important even without Marquez. Honda can adopt a two-tester configuration, similar to KTM’s, without discarding Bradl. This arrangement allows Honda to make the most of Espargaro’s expertise, especially with the concessions given to ‘Rank D’ teams like Honda.
The benefits of this partnership are evident for Honda, but what about Espargaro? Despite his close association with Aprilia, he made it clear from the beginning that his future was elsewhere. The difficulties faced by Honda and Yamaha presented an opportunity for him to explore the tester market. Even conversations with his friend Jorge Martin about the potential of Aprilia did not convince him to stay. Honda’s resources and their need for Espargaro’s skills make the project attractive to him. The investment in his contract and the testing team can be offset by the allocation of the rider’s contract, as Honda is not attracting high-salary riders.
Ultimately, Honda needs Espargaro’s help to get out of its current crisis. With the 2027 rules offering a reset opportunity, Espargaro believes Honda can win again during his time with the team. This would be a remarkable achievement and a testament to his legacy in the sport.
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