Janice R. Andrews
HRC rider Luca Marini has voiced concerns over Ducati’s overwhelming control of MotoGP, suggesting their supremacy is harming competition. However, he remains confident that Honda could emerge as Ducati’s primary challenger with strategic improvements.
Ducati’s Record-Breaking Season
The 2024 MotoGP championship has been a showcase of Ducati’s prowess, with their Desmosedici machines claiming victory in all but one race. While Honda’s RC213V has struggled to break into the top 10, recent developments following the Misano test have shown promise. LCR Honda’s Johann Zarco achieved a season-best eighth place in Thailand, though this still trails far behind Ducati’s exceptional performance.
Japanese Manufacturers Show Signs of Recovery
Both Honda and Yamaha have demonstrated improvement, with Yamaha reaching a season peak of sixth place in Malaysia. The advancement has energized Honda’s development efforts. At Sepang, Marini witnessed Ducati’s superior speed firsthand as Franco Morbidelli and Marc Marquez, despite crashing, easily overtook him on their Desmosedici bikes. While acknowledging Ducati’s current superiority, Marini sees potential in the competitive landscape among other manufacturers.
“Ducati riders can crash, restart, and still pass you – their speed is incredible,” Marini observed. “They’re in a league of their own right now. However, seeing Yamaha’s progress gives us confidence that we can also improve and compete at a higher level next season.”
Honda’s Development Strategy
Marini believes Honda has the potential to secure second place among manufacturers with well-planned improvements. His optimism aligns with incoming European test team member Aleix Espargaro, who predicts Honda will secure its first victory since Marc Marquez’s 2021 Emilia Romagna triumph within two years.
“I chose Honda for my post-retirement role because they have the greatest untapped potential,” Espargaro explained to AS. “Despite their current challenges, I’m certain Honda will achieve a grand prix victory within 24 months.”
Looking Ahead
While Ducati maintains its dominant position, Honda’s steady progress and determined outlook suggest a promising future. With continued development and strategic improvements, Honda aims to establish itself as Ducati’s primary challenger by 2025, building on the momentum of recent advances and the expertise of its rider lineup.
