After eight years at the helm of the official Honda team in MotoGP, Alberto Puig is set to hand over the reins as team manager. From 2027, the Spanish executive will adopt an advisory role with HRC, covering the Japanese manufacturer’s activities in both MotoGP and WorldSBK. This change marks the end of an era for the winged brand as it seeks a new direction.
Honda Seeks New Leader on the Grid
The news landed like a thunderclap in the paddock: Alberto Puig will no longer be the team manager for the official Honda team in MotoGP from 2027. Having succeeded Livio Suppo in 2018, the Spaniard, an iconic figure at HRC, will step down from day-to-day management to take on an advisory position. This strategic shift comes at a crucial time for Honda, which is experiencing a difficult period on track and is desperately trying to regain its former dominance. The search for Puig’s successor is therefore underway, and the stakes are high for whoever takes on the challenge.
Puig: A Life Dedicated to Honda and Competition
Alberto Puig is no stranger to the world of motorcycle racing. His career is intimately linked with Honda, where he began as a rider in 1987. He experienced the joy of victory in the 500cc class in 1995, but also the harsh reality of serious injuries, such as the one he sustained at Le Mans that same year. After hanging up his helmet in 1997, Puig successfully transitioned, holding various positions within the motorcycle industry. His experience in nurturing young talent, notably with the Movistar Activa Cup which launched Dani Pedrosa, and his role as Pedrosa’s agent, honed his expertise. It was this intimate knowledge of the sport and its people that led him to head the official Honda team, where he spent eight intense years.
An Advisory Role for a Broader Perspective
In his own words, Alberto Puig explains this career shift as a need to step back and utilise his experience in a different way. “I’ve spent my life on the front line, and I feel that now, my skills are more useful looking at the situation from a broader perspective,” he confides. This advisory role with HRC will allow him to continue leveraging his years of experience, offering a global vision to both the MotoGP and WorldSBK teams. It’s a considered transition, aimed at optimising his contribution to the Japanese manufacturer by focusing on strategy and development rather than day-to-day operational management. An approach that could prove invaluable in the current climate.
Davide Brivio: A New Face for Honda Marketing?
While the name of the future team manager remains confidential, another piece of information emerged during the French Grand Prix: Davide Brivio, currently head of the Trackhouse team, could also join Honda in an advisory capacity. However, this would not be a team manager role, but rather a position focused on marketing and commercial aspects. Brivio’s arrival, a key figure in Suzuki’s MotoGP success, could signal Honda’s desire to strengthen its presence and appeal in international markets, in addition to its efforts to regain competitiveness on the track. A dual-pronged strategy for the winged brand.
What Future for Honda in MotoGP?
This reshuffle at the head of the official team is just one piece of the puzzle in Honda’s renewal strategy. The Japanese manufacturer is going through a turbulent period, struggling to remain competitive against Ducati’s dominance and the constant progress of its rivals. Alberto Puig’s departure and the potential arrival of Davide Brivio indicate a desire for profound change. It remains to be seen who will take the operational reins and how these new strategic directions will translate onto the track. The challenge is immense, but Honda’s racing history proves they should never be underestimated. Time will tell if these adjustments will help HRC regain its past glory.
- Strategic Shift: Alberto Puig steps down as team manager to become an HRC advisor.
- New Horizon: The advisory role will encompass both MotoGP and WorldSBK activities.
- Recognised Expertise: Puig will lend his experience to HRC’s overall development.
- Potential Arrival: Davide Brivio might bolster the team in a marketing capacity.
- Sporting Stakes: Honda aims to regain competitiveness amidst heightened rivalry.
- Key Transition: The appointment of the new team manager will be crucial for the future.
