Honda is set to embark on an extensive 22-day test program this year in an effort to reclaim its status as the leading brand in MotoGP racing.
According to reports, Honda plans to set up up to 22 private tests during the 2024 season in an attempt to take full advantage of MotoGP’s new concession arrangement.
The Japanese manufacturer has struggled with performance over the last two seasons and has only managed a single victory during this time, at the Circuit of the Americas last year thanks to LCR’s Alex Rins.
The RC213V has evolved to become an unpredictable bike that riders find difficult to push to the limit. Last year in particular, high-speed crashes involving all of its riders was not uncommon owing to its dismal performance, which saw it finish fifth and last in the constructors championship.
Now with MotoGP’s revised concessions system, the only two Japanese brands competing in the championship, Honda and Yamaha, will enjoy a number of benefits as a result of their subpar performances in last year’s campaign.
Among other advantages, the new system gives Honda and similarly struggling Japanese rival Yamaha complete control over engine development, an unlimited number of test days, the use of their race riders for testing and a total of six wildcard entries during the season.
Honda is setting up an extensive testing program with test rider Stefan Bradl in an effort to take back its spot at the top. The manufacturer intends to schedule 22 test days in total during the season, according to Motorsport.com.
Honda is also considering employing a second test rider to share responsibilities with Bradl due to the immense amount of work the testing program would place on the German.
It is understood that this is merely a preliminary plan that will probably not be implemented in its whole because Yamaha and Honda’s support will be evaluated and reassessed during the summer break based on the outcomes achieved at that point.
Both HRC riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini, are eligible to participate in all of these tests. However, their participation will be much more complicated as the season begins on the weekend of March 10 marking the first of 22 events scheduled this season, including sprint races every Grand Prix weekend.
There are currently no intentions to employ LCR team’s Johann Zarco and Takaaki Nakagami for private testing, despite their open and private offers to assist Honda in the development of the new bike.
In the coming week, the test team and LCR will fly to Tokyo to get the technicians acquainted with the 2024 bike. Bradl and the test team will be heading to Jerez for their first test on January 22, along with the World Superbike teams.
The factory Repsol Honda team will reveal their 2024 livery with riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini on February 13. A day later, the satellite LCR team will unveil their livery with Johann Zarco and Takaaki Nakagami.
