No concrete talks have yet taken place, but LCR intends to continue riding with Honda in the future – Lucio Cecchinello sees a spirit of optimism
The contract between Honda and the LCR team expires at the end of the 2024 season. There were already loose talks with other brands last year, but a change has not yet become concrete. It appears that LCR will remain Honda’s satellite team in the future
“Honestly, I feel comfortable where I am,” said LCR Team Principal Lucio Cecchinello to GPOne.com. “We haven’t formalized the extension yet. We haven’t talked about it yet.”
“But my intention is to talk about it in the coming weeks – before the summer. I wanted to wait for the season to start so they can focus on the season and then talk about it.”
LCR has been in MotoGP since 2006 and has always raced with Honda. Three Grand Prix victories have been celebrated with Cal Crutchlow, Alex Rins has achieved one triumph. The second LCR motorcycle is practically reserved for a young Asian Honda rider.
“I don’t want to criticize anyone, but we are the only team that has never stopped working with HRC. Eight others have done that. Only we have stuck with it over the years. It has not always been easy, but we have always found a reasonable compromise.”
Cecchinello is observing the process of change at Honda at close quarters and is convinced that “the first fruits” are already being seen: “In recent months, we have seen significant improvements in terms of personnel.”
“Young engineers are coming in, including from the Formula 1 project in the areas of aerodynamics and engine. Three years ago, HRC began a major transformation with the merger of two-wheel and four-wheel. “
“For example, when a development part used to come in, the factory team would test it. Now there are four parts and they are available for all riders at the same time,” says Cecchinello, describing the new approach.”
“HRC has implemented the same strategy as Ducati with Pramac and KTM with Tech3. The manufacturers have understood that the more data and information is shared, the faster development runs. You also minimize the risk of mistakes.”
Honda has made progress with the new bike, but the European competition has also become faster. That is why there is still a gap, as the last four grid positions in Portimao have made clear.
Nevertheless, Cecchinello is convinced that the bike has “definitely” improved: “The engine has a bit more power and the stability in the braking phase is better. We also no longer see so many crashes, the riders have more control over the front wheel.”
“These are all positive signs. Zarco is also happy with the speed at the entrance to corners. But we are not yet competitive in terms of aerodynamics. We also need to work on the chassis, because we are still lacking something in the fast corners compared to the competition.”
In Johann Zarco, LCR once again has a rider with a lot of experience. At the end of 2019, the Frenchman had already ridden three races for the team when Takaaki Nakagami had to take a break due to shoulder surgery.
They therefore knew each other and Zarco also had a basic impression of the Honda. “Johann made a decision that may seem questionable because he left a winning bike,” says Cecchinello.
“But he did it because he was already riding the Honda and we offered him a two-year program. He often told me that he had a good feeling with the Honda. That allowed him to tackle this challenge with motivation and less doubt.”
That is why Cecchinello is not worried about Zarco’s adaptation to the Honda. With his experience from Yamaha, KTM and Ducati, the Frenchman is an important piece of the puzzle in the difficult process of catching up