– After eight years at the helm of Honda’s official MotoGP team, Alberto Puig will step down from his role as team manager at the end of the 2026 season. This was confirmed by the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) in an official statement.
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From next year, the Spaniard will take on a new, cross-departmental role as an advisor within the motorsport division of the Japanese manufacturer.
The announcement comes just days after reports of an impending move by Davide Brivio to HRC. The current Trackhouse team principal, who previously held leadership positions at Yamaha and Suzuki, is expected to leave the US team at the end of the year and work for Honda from 2027.
Brivio not direct successor to Puig
According to Motorsport.com, a partner site of Motorsport-Total.com, Brivio will not succeed Puig as team manager. His responsibilities are expected to be in the marketing and business area.
In Honda’s official statement released on Thursday, it says: “After nearly a decade as head of Honda’s official factory team in MotoGP, Puig will take on an important advisory role for Honda HRC from 2027.”
The manufacturer explains that it will continue to benefit from “Alberto’s four decades of experience in motorcycle world championship” as he adapts to his new role.
This task Puig will fulfill in the future
Puig is also expected to remain closely involved in the brand’s sporting activities in the future. Honda emphasizes: “As an advisor to HRC, Puig will continue to contribute to the development of youth promotion programs while strengthening Honda’s commitment in the MotoGP and WorldSBK championships.”
Puig himself also commented on his new role, reflecting on his decades-long career in Grand Prix racing: “I first entered the paddock of the world championship in 1987 and since then I have been a racer, worked with young riders, been a rider manager and team manager – always with Honda.”
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“During this time, I have experienced many positive and negative moments that have taught me how to work with riders, people, and different situations.”
He wants to bring this experience more into strategic levels in the future, “to support Honda HRC, its riders, and staff in continuing to develop and mastering all the challenges and successes that racing brings.”
Honda and Puig share a long history
Puig took over the position of team manager in 2018 from Livio Suppo. However, his connection to Honda goes much further back. Even as an active rider, the now 59-year-old was closely linked to the manufacturer from Tokyo.
His career was significantly shaped by a serious accident at the 1995 Le Mans Grand Prix, where he suffered severe injuries to his left leg. Nevertheless, the Barcelona-born Spaniard celebrated his first victory in the then 500cc class in Jerez the same year.
After retiring in 1997, Puig remained involved in the sport in various roles. Among other things, he worked closely with series promoter Dorna (now MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group) and led the Movistar-supported junior cup, from which riders like Dani Pedrosa emerged.
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Later, Puig also acted as his manager. He also played a key role in building Honda’s junior programs, which he will continue to lead in the future.
