The worst season in Honda’s history, Jerez test cannot save the situation

The Honda MotoGP team has concluded what is arguably its most challenging season in modern history with a private test at Jerez. The 2024 campaign was a tough ordeal, as Honda struggled to secure competitive results, ending the year last in the manufacturer standings behind rivals Yamaha and Ducati. Even more notably, this marked Honda’s third winless season in the last five years, raising serious concerns about the team’s trajectory.

Honda’s Worst Season in Recent History

The season was marked by consistent underperformance, with Honda failing to achieve a top-five finish in any grand prix. The team’s best performance came from Johann Zarco, who finished eighth in Malaysia’s main race and the Indonesian sprint race. Zarco ended as Honda’s highest-ranked rider in the overall standings, sitting at 17th place, far from the team’s former glory. His teammates, including Takaaki Nakagami, Joan Mir, and Luca Marini, finished in 19th, 21st, and 22nd, respectively, with Marini closing out the championship standings.

Testing and Development: Slow Progress Amid Challenges

Throughout 2024, Honda conducted multiple private tests using its status as a factory concession team, but tangible progress was minimal. The most significant development was the introduction of a new aerodynamic package after the San Marino Grand Prix, designed to enhance cornering performance. While this upgrade showed promise, it did little to address Honda’s broader performance deficit.

The post-season test at Barcelona brought mixed reviews from the riders. Joan Mir expressed disappointment, stating that the equipment tested was not innovative enough to drive meaningful progress. Meanwhile, Luca Marini struck a more optimistic tone, suggesting there was some potential in the upgrades. Zarco, who tested the 2025 chassis, admitted that it showed little improvement, although he refrained from commenting on development delays.

Marini also hinted that Honda had further unexplored upgrades that could be evaluated during the private Jerez test, suggesting that the team might still have tricks up its sleeve. However, questions remain about whether these efforts will be sufficient to make Honda competitive again in 2025.

Jerez Test and Prospects for the Future

The private Jerez test kicked off with Luca Marini and test rider Aleix Espargaro on Tuesday, followed by Joan Mir and Johann Zarco on Wednesday. This session coincided with the World Superbike Test at the same venue, providing a stark contrast between Honda’s struggles in MotoGP and its relative success in other racing categories.

Aleix Espargaro, who retired from full-time racing at the end of the season, has now joined Honda as a test rider. He is working closely with technical director Ken Kawauchi, who transitioned to the test team earlier this year. Meanwhile, Romano Albesiano has taken over operations for the factory squad, signaling a reshuffle aimed at revitalizing the team’s fortunes.

As Honda prepares for the 2025 season, the focus remains on addressing its chronic performance issues, particularly in areas like aerodynamics and chassis development. The Jerez test offers a glimmer of hope, but whether it translates into meaningful results remains uncertain.