Due to recent developments, team boss Alberto Puig has also been criticized – but according to Marc Marquez, he is still the right manager for Honda
In recent weeks, Honda has made a number of personnel changes to the MotoGP project. “We are trying to restructure the team from the ground up,” emphasized Team Principal Alberto Puig. “That means Japan, but also the team in Europe. We have to change the system. “
At the end of 2017, Livio Suppo stepped down as Team Principal. Puig took over and celebrated two world championship titles with Marc Marquez. But then the difficult phase began. Most recently, Honda had to cope with the departure of Marquez. In the course of this, Red Bull also said goodbye as a sponsor.
As a result, there were also critical voices in the paddock towards Puig. Should Honda also install a new team principal? At the season finale in Valencia, there was speculation about the name Davide Brivio, who works in the Formula 1 project at Alpine.
But the rumors about a MotoGP return of the former Suzuki team boss turned out to be false. Puig is to remain firmly in the saddle at Honda. There are currently no signs that he could be replaced in the near future.
The former racing driver is very well connected in the paddock. While Honda concentrates on technology, Puig takes care of the personnel in the racing team. Most recently, he negotiated the two-year contract with Luca Marini.
Marquez, who has a close relationship with Puig, is still convinced that he is the right team principal for Honda: “I have said it many times and will continue to do so. I know that there are people who criticize Alberto.”
“But it’s normal that when people are honest, they don’t have many friends. Alberto has always been honest with me. He listens to you. Then when he has his own thoughts, he acts on them. “
“I think Alberto is fundamental to the Honda project,” emphasizes Marquez. “Often there are situations where a team manager can’t decide everything. And no matter how much you want to do certain things, there is a group that decides together.”
“From my point of view, Alberto has good ideas for Honda’s future. I think it would be a mistake to cut off his head. He has always been very clear. He has a project in mind, some of which has been implemented, others not. But I always liked his ideas.”
Puig is not only team manager of the MotoGP project. He also works in the background on the Honda project in the Superbike World Championship. The European base of this team is located in his workshop in Spain. Puig is also the interface to various junior cups that are ridden with Honda motorcycles
