MotoGP – Lorenzo in Japan to ask Honda for a plan B

Bruno Gomes

June 4, 2019

Jorge Lorenzo is traveling to Japan to talk to Honda and ask the Japanese manufacturer a plan B on their MotoGP project.

Jorge Lorenzo’s life as a factory Honda rider in MotoGP isn’t great. The three-time MotoGP champion hasn’t been able to fight for the Top 10. This past weekend at Mugello Lorenzo had another race to forget, so he decided to travel to Japan to work with Honda.

The problem for the Spaniard is the Honda RC213V. Honda developed the bike to suit Marc Marquez riding style. Jorge Lorenzo has a completely different style, smoother, and that demands special components.

After the Mugello race, he spoke to the press about his hard times with Honda. Lorenzo recognizes it’s difficult for Honda to change their bike. Marquez has won five out of six championships, so they don’t really need to change anything. But for Lorenzo “I have a plan for the future. We are working on a new RC213V that’s easier for me to ride and also for other Honda riders. I believe I can be of great help, and we will work patiently in that direction”.

For Lorenzo, Honda needs to work on a plan B. To start working on that plan B, Lorenzo is already traveling to Japan and meet with HRC engineers. The objective is to start working on the 2020 Honda RC213V, a bike he feels that it needs to be different from the one used by Marquez.

But Honda and Jorge Lorenzo will have a hard time doing that. MotoGP regulations say that engines need to be sealed at the start of the season. The team might work on chassis components, but Lorenzo says the problem is also on the engine. The V4 engine Honda developed for this season is much more powerful. Closer to the power made by the Ducati V4 engine. But that power comes with problems.

Power delivery is much more aggressive, and the chassis of the Honda RC213V isn’t stable enough for Jorge Lorenzo to make use of his riding style. Honda will be delivering new components especially made for him. So, starting from the Catalunya GP, Lorenzo will finally be able to get a bike suited to his needs.

After a really bad start of the season is Jorge Lorenzo going through the same situation he had at Ducati?