The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
Disappointment for Honda and Yamaha in MotoGP in 2022, combined with the successes of Ducati and Aprilia, has motivated the Japanese brands to break with their tradition of limiting themselves to operating from the inside to look for answers from external suppliers
The arrival of Ken Kawauchi as Honda's new technical director, replacing Takeo Yokoyama, offers a perfect analogy of the metamorphosis that MotoGP's two Japanese giants are undergoing. Kawauchi, signed by Honda after Suzuki's decision to quit the series at the end of last year, asked Marc Marquez at the recent Sepang pre-season test to start on a bike that presented a look almost from the past: no wings.
"Ken wanted to check some things and see them with his own eyes," Marquez explained.
Predictable as the answers were from analysing the two laps Marquez did, Kawauchi wanted to draw his own conclusions. This same method applied on a larger scale makes it possible to understand the drifts that have prompted Honda and Yamaha to break with the external blockade that, until now, severely limited their collaboration with third parties.
The transparency needed from Michelin as the MotoGP title battle reaches its end
The transparency needed from Michelin as the MotoGP title battle reaches its end The transparency needed from Michelin as the MotoGP title battle reaches its end
The hidden paradox in Marini's move to Honda's MotoGP team
The hidden paradox in Marini's move to Honda's MotoGP team The hidden paradox in Marini's move to Honda's MotoGP team
Martin won't push Ducati for Bastianini's factory MotoGP ride
Martin won't push Ducati for Bastianini's factory MotoGP ride Martin won't push Ducati for Bastianini's factory MotoGP ride
Why a Martin MotoGP title would elevate the achievement of Ducati's kingpin
Why a Martin MotoGP title would elevate the achievement of Ducati's kingpin Why a Martin MotoGP title would elevate the achievement of Ducati's kingpin
Exclusive: Marc Marquez opens up on his Ducati MotoGP switch
Exclusive: Marc Marquez opens up on his Ducati MotoGP switch Exclusive: Marc Marquez opens up on his Ducati MotoGP switch
The Honda win record Ducati is nearing in its already historic 2023 MotoGP season
The Honda win record Ducati is nearing in its already historic 2023 MotoGP season The Honda win record Ducati is nearing in its already historic 2023 MotoGP season
MotoGP moves Australian GP main race to Saturday amid wind threat
MotoGP moves Australian GP main race to Saturday amid wind threat MotoGP moves Australian GP main race to Saturday amid wind threat
Why new MotoGP champion Bagnaia has a stronger character than it seems
Why new MotoGP champion Bagnaia has a stronger character than it seems Why new MotoGP champion Bagnaia has a stronger character than it seems
William Byron leads stout NASCAR contingent at Snowball Derby
William Byron leads stout NASCAR contingent at Snowball Derby William Byron leads stout NASCAR contingent at Snowball Derby
2024 F1 grid: What is next season's Formula 1 driver lineup?
2024 F1 grid: What is next season's Formula 1 driver lineup? 2024 F1 grid: What is next season's Formula 1 driver lineup?
10 things we learned from the 2023 MotoGP Valencia Grand Prix
10 things we learned from the 2023 MotoGP Valencia Grand Prix 10 things we learned from the 2023 MotoGP Valencia Grand Prix
Marquez "will raise the level" of Ducati's MotoGP competitiveness – Tardozzi
Marquez "will raise the level" of Ducati's MotoGP competitiveness – Tardozzi Marquez "will raise the level" of Ducati's MotoGP competitiveness – Tardozzi
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.