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Honda and Quartararo share clear championship goal for new MotoGP era
Alberto Puig confirms Honda and new signing Fabio Quartararo share a single target as the factory prepares for a major rider shake-up and technical reset.
By Michael de Vries - 2026-08-21 10:10:35.000 - 2 min read
HRC team manager Alberto Puig has confirmed that rebuilding towards world championship success is the sole objective for Honda and marquee signing Fabio Quartararo. Both parties enter the partnership following sustained periods away from the front of the grid, with Honda's last riders' crown secured in 2019 and Quartararo claiming his title with Yamaha in 2021. Neither manufacturer has mounted a consistent title challenge in recent campaigns, leaving the factory HRC squad winless since the final victory of Marc Marquez in 2021.
The upcoming regulatory reset in 2027, featuring 850cc power units and a transition from Michelin to Pirelli tyres, offers Honda a vital opening to close the competitive gap to European rivals. Speaking in the Silverstone pit lane, Puig emphasised that expectations within the garage remain singular despite the scale of the rebuilding effort. He acknowledged that targets are not always reached, but insisted that returning to the top of the championship is the only acceptable goal for both the factory and the 2021 champion.
Quartararo's arrival maintains Honda's tradition of fielding at least one premier-class title holder every season since 2014. Puig praised the incoming Frenchman as one of the fastest competitors on the grid while also acknowledging the contributions of outgoing riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini. Both departing racers have aided development through a difficult phase, with Mir heading to Gresini Ducati and Marini moving to Tech3 KTM for the upcoming chapter.
Honda has yet to finalise which rider will partner Quartararo in the factory team, with the seat remaining a choice between newly confirmed signing David Alonso and current LCR racer Diogo Moreira. Puig urged patience regarding Alonso's transition to the premier class, noting that young riders require time to adapt and pointing out that the rookie's current season has presented challenges. A definitive announcement regarding the second factory seat is expected soon.
The structural transition at HRC will also see Puig shift into an advisory position next season, handing over team manager duties to current technical manager Mikihiko Kawase. With a refreshed rider roster and major technical rule changes on the horizon, Honda is positioning itself to reverse its recent fortunes.