Aleix Espargaro has expressed his confidence that the collaboration between Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) and Romano Albesiano will significantly enhance the Japanese manufacturer’s performance in MotoGP. Espargaro, who joined HRC’s testing program in 2024, believes that the combined expertise of the Italian engineer and the experience of Honda’s team will result in a much stronger bike for the 2025 season.
Albesiano, who will take over as HRC’s MotoGP Technical Director on January 1st, has a long history of success with Aprilia, where he played a key role in the development of the RS-GP, the bike that propelled the team to new heights in recent years. Espargaro, who worked alongside Albesiano at Aprilia since 2017, credits him for the impressive progress the Italian manufacturer made, particularly in the last few seasons, and believes Albesiano’s impact at HRC will be equally transformative.
“I believe a lot in the talent of Romano. His work at Aprilia has been remarkable, and the last few seasons have been a testament to his dedication and ability to improve the bike year after year,” Espargaro said. “Now, at HRC, he has a huge opportunity to bring his expertise to the biggest factory in the paddock with a rich history. I’m excited to see how he will help Honda get back to the top.”
Albesiano’s appointment marks a significant milestone, as he will be the first non-Japanese engineer to hold such a key technical role at Honda. Despite the manufacturer’s recent struggles, particularly in 2024, Espargaro is optimistic that the combination of HRC’s established work ethic and Albesiano’s innovative approach will propel Honda back into contention.
“It’s like a dream to be the technical director of HRC, and I think the mix of the Japanese engineering expertise and the Italian approach will make Honda really strong for next year,” Espargaro continued. “Honda doesn’t need to change everything—they’ve won a lot in the past with their way of working—but blending that with what Italian engineers bring will be crucial.”
Honda has faced significant challenges in recent years, with the RC213V struggling to match the pace of its rivals. In 2024, Honda finished at the bottom of the constructors’ standings, with their best results being limited to a handful of top-eight finishes. Espargaro, however, remains hopeful that the upcoming technical overhaul will give the team a much-needed boost.
“Even in a difficult season, Brad [Binder] has been fighting for the top five in the championship. This shows that with the right combination of talent and technical development, Honda can get back on track,” Espargaro said. “I’m proud to be part of the HRC testing program, and I’m looking forward to helping the team develop a bike that will challenge for victories again.”
Espargaro’s move to HRC follows his successful tenure at Aprilia, where he helped the team secure multiple podiums and a solid championship finish in recent seasons. Despite the changes at both Honda and Aprilia, Espargaro is confident that both teams will thrive in the coming years. He also expressed his belief that the arrival of Jorge Martin at Aprilia will bring fresh energy and motivation to the team.
“Aprilia has a strong structure, and with new engineers and a new technical director, there will be even more motivation to push forward,” Espargaro said. “Jorge is an incredibly fast rider, and I’m sure his arrival will make the team even stronger.”
Espargaro made his Honda debut during the post-race test in Barcelona, finishing 14th overall, ahead of all full-time Honda riders except Johann Zarco. As the new season approaches, the combination of Espargaro’s insights, Albesiano’s leadership, and the ongoing development of the RCV provides hope for Honda’s resurgence in MotoGP.
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