Honda have acknowledged that their 2026 MotoGP campaign has not lived up to internal expectations, even as the Japanese manufacturer continues to make steady progress in its long-term rebuilding project.
Team manager Alberto Puig admitted Honda had hoped to be fighting closer to the front by this stage of the season, but said the team still has work to do before it can consistently challenge the leading manufacturers.
"We were expecting more," Puig said when assessing Honda's season.
Source: Motociclismo
After several difficult years following Marc Marquez's departure, Honda entered 2026 with renewed optimism following encouraging performances at the end of last season. However, the factory outfit has struggled to consistently convert that progress into strong race results.
Puig said the RC213V has improved compared to previous seasons, but not enough to regularly compete with the benchmark bikes on the grid. He stressed that Honda's objective remains unchanged, with the team fully focused on returning to race-winning form.
The Spaniard added that rebuilding a MotoGP project takes time and requires every department to improve together, from engineering and bike development to race operations. He believes Honda are moving in the right direction, even if the results have not yet matched the effort being invested behind the scenes.
Puig also called on Honda's riders to maintain an aggressive mindset throughout the remainder of the season, insisting the team must continue pushing in every race to accelerate development and close the gap to its rivals.
Looking ahead, Honda are already balancing development of their current machine with preparations for MotoGP's new 850cc regulations, which will come into effect in 2027. Puig believes the lessons learned this season will play an important role in helping Honda become more competitive in the sport's next era.
Despite falling short of expectations so far, Honda remain confident their rebuilding programme is heading in the right direction, with the team determined to return to the front of the MotoGP grid.
