Luca Marini sees himself at the start of the race to catch up at Honda – the aim is to be in a position to fight for podiums by the halfway point of the season
With the switch to the Honda works team, Luca Marini is taking a step towards independence. Although he remains a member of the VR46 Academy, he no longer rides for the team. The Italian is putting his sporting career on its own feet
“Honda’s comeback is beginning,” Marini is convinced. “We have a common goal. It’s important for a rider to be in a factory team. The dream, the goal is clear. We want to get back to the top.”
The new RC213V was a step forward at the winter test in Malaysia. But Honda has not yet managed to catch up with the top. However, everyone is emphasizing that they have found “the right direction”.
“I am very pleased to be working with this team. We have already made good progress. Of course, we have to do even more at the Qatar test,” said Marini. “It’s going to be a long and, in my opinion, interesting season.”
“I want to reach a good level by the middle of the season. I think there is good room for improvement in all areas of the bike. The aim, of course, is to give my best possible feedback and give the engineers clear and precise information.”
Due to the new concession rules, Honda can run a comprehensive development program in the first half of the season. The engine specification is not frozen and, above all, private tests can be carried out with the regular riders
Honda also intends to make use of this. The exact test schedule has not yet been communicated. But Honda is preparing for a busy few months in order to be in a competitive position for the second half of the season.
“We want to come up with a package by the halfway point of the season so that we can fight for podium places,” says Marini. “We don’t yet know exactly what the level of the bike will be at the start of the season. I also need to adjust my riding style better.”
“It’s important to learn how to ride the Honda in the best possible way. But every time I’m on the track, it gets better. Joan [Mir] has more experience with this bike. I have to learn the secrets from him. We get on well together.”
Marini emphasizes that it is “a dream” for him to ride in the Honda factory team. His half-brother Valentino Rossi wore the Repsol colors in 2002 and 2003 and became MotoGP World Champion in both years at the beginning of the four-stroke era.
Marini does not want to think about such successes just yet: “It won’t be easy at the beginning, but we will get better and better as the season progresses. We want to be able to fight for the podium in every race. “
