{"id":133806,"date":"2025-09-10T22:25:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T22:25:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/133806\/"},"modified":"2025-09-10T22:25:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T22:25:11","slug":"espargaro-blown-away-by-next-level-honda-motogp-chassis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/133806\/","title":{"rendered":"Espargaro blown away by “next-level” Honda MotoGP chassis"},"content":{"rendered":"

The \u201cnext-level\u201d chassis Honda has introduced in recent MotoGP races is capable of delivering a performance benefit of up to four tenths of a second, according to test rider Aleix Espargaro<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Factory riders Luca Marini<\/a> and Joan Mir<\/a> have been racing an upgraded RC213V since the summer break, enjoying a significant pace advantage over the satellite bike of Johann Zarco<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Mir scored a season-best sixth place at the Austrian Grand Prix in mid-August, while Marini followed it up with a top-finish at the new Balaton Park race in Hungary. The Italian was also running strongly in last weekend\u2019s Catalan GP until a late tyre drop-off dropped him from fifth to eighth in the closing laps.<\/p>\n

By contrast, Zarco has yet to receive some of the same updates as the factory HRC riders and has endured a difficult spell, with Barcelona marking his eighth straight race outside the top 10 or a retirement.<\/p>\n

The most significant of Honda\u2019s changes is the new chassis, which was first tested by Espargaro at a private session in Barcelona.<\/p>\n

The Spaniard was so impressed with its performance that he personally pushed for its adoption, describing it as a game changer for the squad.<\/p>\n

\"Aleix <\/p>\n

Aleix Espargaro, Honda HRC<\/p>\n

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography \/ LAT Images \/ via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cOne month ago, I arrived here and one of the items for testing was a new chassis,\u201d he said prior to the Catalan GP.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI tested it and I couldn’t believe the difference. It was amazing. I did many back-to-backs and I said to the engineers, it’s not possible, this chassis is next level.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSo when I finished the test, I said to Romano [Albesiano], \u2018you have to bring the chassis to Joan and Luca\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said, \u2018no, they will not test during the grand prix\u2019. I said, \u2018yeah, they will. I will text them and I will say that they have to’. And I texted both of them and I said, \u2018you guys need to test this chassis. It’s really a big step’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn’t expect to improve that much here in Barcelona. And they tested it, and both Luca and Joan liked it so much.\u00a0So obviously, I agree with Luca that the last [few] circuits were quite strange.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I tested in Barcelona and the chassis was three, four tenths faster. Honda is working hard, and I’m happy to see the progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Joan <\/p>\n

Joan Mir, Honda HRC<\/p>\n

Photo by: David Ramirez \/ Soccrates \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

After the Catalan GP, Mir was more cautious in his assessment, admitting that while the chassis offers benefits in some areas, it also takes away from his natural strengths.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s not the one thing that you put on the track and straight away you feel better. You have to work a bit and trust a bit on it, and [spend some] time testing,” said the 2020 champion. \u201cIt’s not something that comes to me very naturally.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“I don’t feel so good with that at the moment. I think we penalised a little bit on my strong point, which is braking in the second part, and now I cannot do it anymore with this chassis.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Then, the natural turn looks like it’s a bit better. But normally, I make the turn before. Now, ok, there I turn more, but I want to turn here. We are just trying to understand [it].\u201d<\/p>\n

Additional reporting by Oriol Puigdemont<\/p>\n

Read Also:<\/p>\n

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