Honda team manager Alberto Puig is surprised by Michelin’s statements and insists riders’ testimonies mean more to him than data records
Honda team manager Alberto Puig has reacted to statements made by Michelin following the tyre problems at the Indonesian Grand Prix.
Michelin decided to use the 2018 tyre construction after there were overload issues with the 2022 tyres during the February test. Honda had major problems with grip after the tyres were changed.
Pol Espargaro set the fastest time on the 2022 tyre at the Indonesia test, hinting at Honda’s potential at the new Mandalika street circuit. But Honda could not confirm this form with the 2018 tyre. Throughout the weekend, Honda riders complained of problems. Marc Marquez’s violent highsider in the warm-up was the sad low point of a difficult weekend.
The consequences for Honda are extremely sobering. The crash in warm-up forced Marquez to forgo race participation. Even worse: the ex-champion will also miss the third race of the season in Argentina and is expected to miss the following weekend in Texas as well because he is again struggling with diplopia. HRC test rider Stefan Bradl steps in again
After the race, Puig noted that Honda needs to investigate what went wrong with the Michelin tyres. Michelin responded by announcing that there was “no problem” with the tyres and that Honda simply didn’t understand how to make the tyres work.
Alberto Puig delivers a crisp response to Michelin’s statements
In a statement, Puig responds to Michelin manager Piero Taramasso’s statements, criticising them for being “unnecessary”.
“Honestly, and this is my personal opinion, I am not surprised,” Puig comments on Taramasso’s statements. “In my final report from the race, I mentioned that we need to analyse the situation with Michelin. Nothing more. “
“And then we saw how Mr Taramasso reacted to the media. There was no need for that at all. What he said was a bit strange. He was saying, in nice terms of course, that Honda can’t adapt. “
Why Michelin’s statements are causing confusion at Honda
“Honda has adapted to many technical changes, including different rules, tyres, engine formats, classes etc. Since its debut in the world championship in the 1966 season, Honda has been the manufacturer that has been around the longest and has had the most success with 25 manufacturer’s titles and 21 rider’s titles in the premier class. “
“Does that mean we can’t adapt? Okay, that’s the first time I’ve heard that,” Puig said. Michelin claimed that the decision not to use the current tyre was made based on the data. According to Puig, however, riders’ opinions are more important than “lines on a computer”. Moreover, Puig notes that Taramasso “can’t admit mistakes”.
“From my own experience I know that you have to talk to the riders and not to Apple, IBM or Dell, where you see a line on a computer,” Puig clarifies. “You have to listen to the drivers. When you have riders, some of whom are multiple world champions, you can assume that these riders know what they are talking about. “
