MotoGP: Honda Signs Kalex's Co-founder Alex Baumgartel as HRC Technical Advisor

Honda has hired Alex Baumgartel, co-founder of Kalex, to help them improve the development of their MotoGP chassis. This partnership expands on Honda's earlier work with Kalex, a well-known German technical company best known for its Moto2 involvement and chassis adoption throughout the circuit. Before this season, Honda had asked Kalex for a chassis for the RC213V, which was driven by Marc Marquez and Joan Mir. But the design seemed to have been mainly managed by HRC, even though Kalex was involved in the building process. The chassis was so identical to the regular version that the Honda riders didn't even know it had changed.

A major change in HRC's approach is suggested by Baumgartel's recent hiring. Given that Honda has only managed to win one race in the last two seasons, finished last in the 2023 constructors' standings, and lost star rider Marc Marquez to Gresini Ducati, this move indicates that the company is now prepared to put more faith in Kalex to be an integral part of the chassis design evolution.

MotoGP: 2024 Honda RC213V

The 2024 MotoGP season is exciting and full of notable developments. New concession regulations altered the start of this year's season significantly, allowing the struggling Honda and Yamaha race teams to join the factory test riders and rookies in the three-day Sepang shakedown. New LCR rider Johann Zarco was upbeat about Honda's attempts to improve their MotoGP contender after the Sepang shakedown, praising the company's strategy. Zarco took advantage of MotoGP's revised concessions structure and rode the Honda RC213V for two days during the recent official shakedown in Malaysia after having a taste of it in Valencia last year.

Honda has been silently making changes, mainly to ensure that six-time winner Marc Marquez stays for his last year on the team. Shin Sato's appointment as new technical director is a major part of this shake-up because it shows the manufacturer is committed to groundbreaking innovations.

MotoGP: How Honda Benefits from New Concessions Rules

A more favourable situation for Honda and Yamaha in comparison to other manufacturers is presented by the updated concession regulations, which may allow Honda to regain a significant position in the MotoGP standings. Among the many benefits these teams will reap are the chance to develop their engines on a continuing basis, two aero upgrades, three wildcard entrants, and 260 allotted tyre tests.

Luca Marini, Joan Mir, Johann Zarco, Takaaki Nakagami, Stefan Bradl, and Takumi Takahashi were all Honda riders who participated in the Sepang shakedown, which is a big plus for the Japanese manufacturer. Their participation at the outset gives them a significant advantage over their rivals. Wildcard entries have been lodged for the Jerez, Barcelona, and Sachsenring rounds, as Stefan Bradl has already revealed. This suggests that they are strategically using these privileges to be as competitive as possible.