– At the MotoGP test in Jerez 2026, one thing stood out in the Honda camp: While other manufacturers filled their garages with new parts, it remained noticeably quiet with the Japanese. No major updates, no spectacular aero packages. Instead, the focus was clearly on fine-tuning.
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A conscious decision, as team manager Alberto Puig explains: “We always try to bring in new components, but we also try to find a compromise between this year’s development and next year’s.”
This strategic restraint naturally caused mixed reactions among the riders. Because the desire for fresh material is omnipresent in the paddock, especially at a time when Honda is still fighting to catch up.
Honda riders: This can also be an advantage
Joan Mir shows understanding for the approach but also made it clear that a rider basically wants more: “It is clear that as a rider you always want more and want new parts to improve the motorcycle.” At the same time, he also recognized the value of such a test without technical distractions.
Honda “tried to find ideas in a different way,” and a test without new parts can help to “understand more things,” says the 2020 world champion.
Johann Zarco’s assessment is similarly pragmatic. For the Frenchman, the reduced development work even brings advantages: If the focus is solely on setup and riding style, many things become clearer. “Then you get things clearer in your head and in your body,” explains Zarco.
New parts might work in the short term but always require adjustment time. Instead, the LCR rider points out “how much a bit of setup work and a good feeling on the bike can perhaps make a bigger difference than, for example, a new swingarm.”
Where Mir, Marini, and Zarco see progress
Luca Marini also assesses the situation in a differentiated way, especially with regard to aerodynamics, where other manufacturers had visibly upgraded.
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Honda is currently not leading here: “No, certainly not, we are not at the top.” At the same time, Marini emphasized that this does not mean stagnation. Development continues in the background, including with test rider Takaaki Nakagami.
The Jerez test itself was simply not focused on aerodynamics. In addition, Honda has already homologated two fairing variants, which limits the scope. Accordingly, the team focused on details: “We have to be smart and focus on the small things on the bike.”
MotoGP Test 2026: Monday test in Jerez
This approach bore first fruits in Jerez, because despite the lack of new parts, the riders drew a cautiously positive conclusion. Mir emphasized after a “very busy day”: “For the future, we understand a little better what we have to do.”
The next big step did not materialize, but especially on the topic of grip, important insights were gained, particularly about which approaches do not work.
Marini also reported small progress, especially in electronics and acceleration. In addition, Honda worked on weight distribution and setup variants – with mixed results but important insights.
For the next races, Marini wants to use the data collected in Jerez specifically: They have “gained a lot of information” to be as well prepared as possible. The same applies to Zarco, as the upcoming race is his home Grand Prix in Le Mans, which he won spectacularly a year ago.
The numerous runs he completed on Monday in Jerez gave him and the team valuable clues. Especially with regard to problems in fast corners and tire wear, the Frenchman sees starting points: The collected data is “good for the engineers to work on.”
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