Romano Albesiano admits Honda’s big mistake before he took over, ‘simply not taken into account…’

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Honda sealed a coup when they coaxed Romano Albesiano away from Aprilia to be their MotoGP technical director and quickly reaped the rewards from his defection.

Albesiano left Aprilia for Honda in January, with the task of helping to get the Japanese giant back to the very pinnacle of the premier class. Honda were the team to beat from 2011 until 2019 with seven riders’ titles, but they have had to watch rivals Ducati dominate since 2022.

Honda even hired Albesiano towards the end of their worst MotoGP season since the end of the 500cc era, having finished 11th and last in the 2024 teams’ standings on 35 points. The Tokyo team already boast 84 points so far this term after 12 of the 22 rounds due to be held.

The Honda RC213V also took LCR rider Johann Zarco to glory at Le Mans in May for Honda’s first win since Alex Rins at the 2023 Americas Grand Prix. Zarco became the first Frenchman to win the French GP since 1954 and is also now the first-ever home rider to win at Le Mans.

Romano Albesiano admits that Honda did not take aerodynamics into account

Albesiano now admits that part of Honda’s demise was owing to the Japanese manufacturer not taking into account the growing significance of aerodynamics on modern MotoGP bikes before his arrival. But the Tokyo team are now ‘growing’ their knowledge in the crucial area.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Honda from the MotoGP team’s riders to leadership

Honda hired Albesiano in October for his in-depth knowledge of aerodynamics, having been one of the key figures behind the consistent development of Aprilia’s RS-GP. The Italian also boasts more than three decades of experience, including him spending 11 years with Aprilia.

Albesiano told SPEEDWEEK: “This area of the motorcycle was simply not taken into account. The know-how about the forces acting on a motorcycle simply didn’t exist.

“The focus was mainly on reducing air resistance and enabling good cooling. Then they tried to reduce downforce on the front wheel and press the front wheel to the ground. The developments at the rear of the motorcycle are very complex, but have a major impact.

“The company’s knowledge is growing, and we’re getting better and better at combining the mechanics, the motorcycle’s driving dynamics and aerodynamics.”

Honda will hope Romano Albesiano can unlock the RC213V’s full potential

Honda will hope Albesiano’s in-depth knowledge of aerodynamics now helps them to unlock the RC213V’s full potential before the end of the current rules cycle. The Japanese brand will also hope the Italian can work his magic on the 2027 rules, given the reduced aerodynamics.

Albesiano steered Aprilia’s rise to emerge as Ducati’s most consistent rival in recent seasons before joining Honda. He even almost helped the Tokyo team to sign Jorge Martin while the Spaniard unsuccessfully looked to get out of his contract for Aprilia after the current season.

Honda and Martin agreed on a three-year contract before he surrendered to Aprilia’s refusal to recognise the release clause in the 27-year-old’s terms. Albesiano said that Martin joining Honda ‘would be a very good thing’, but they now have to wait until at least 2027 to unite.