Honda Shakes Up MotoGP Leadership: Alberto Puig Steps Down as Team…

After eight years leading the official Honda MotoGP team, Alberto Puig is stepping down as team manager. Starting in 2027, the Spanish executive will transition to an advisory role with HRC, overseeing the Japanese manufacturer’s activities in both MotoGP and WorldSBK. This significant shift marks the end of an era for the winged brand as it seeks a revitalized competitive edge.

Honda Seeks Its Next Leader on the Grid

The news hit the paddock like a thunderclap: Alberto Puig will no longer be the team manager for the official Honda MotoGP team starting in 2027. After succeeding Livio Suppo in 2018, the HRC icon will hand over daily management duties to take on a consulting position. This strategic change comes at a critical juncture for Honda, which is navigating a challenging period on track and desperately aiming to reclaim its former dominance. The search for Puig’s successor is now underway, with immense stakes for whoever takes the helm.

Puig’s Career: A Lifelong Commitment to Honda and Racing

Alberto Puig is no stranger to the world of motorcycle racing. His career is deeply intertwined with Honda, where he began as a rider in 1987. He experienced victory in the 500cc class in 1995 but also faced severe injuries, including one that marked him at Le Mans the same year. After retiring from racing in 1997, Puig successfully transitioned into various roles within the motorcycle industry. His expertise in nurturing young talent, notably through the Movistar Activa Cup that launched Dani Pedrosa’s career, for whom he served as an agent, honed his management skills. This intimate knowledge of the sport and its people 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 utilize his experience in a different capacity. “I’ve spent my life on the front lines, and I feel my skills are now more useful looking at the situation from a broader perspective,” he shared. 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 optimizing his contribution to the Japanese manufacturer, focusing on strategy and development rather than day-to-day operational management. This approach could prove invaluable in the current competitive landscape.

Davide Brivio: A Potential New Face for Honda’s Marketing Efforts?

While the name of the future team manager remains confidential, another piece of information emerged during the French Grand Prix: Davide Brivio, currently leading the Trackhouse team, might also join Honda in an advisory capacity. However, this would not be as team manager, but rather in a role focused on marketing and commercial aspects. Brivio’s potential arrival, a former architect of Suzuki’s MotoGP success, could signal Honda’s intention to strengthen its international market presence and appeal, alongside its efforts to regain track competitiveness. It suggests a dual-pronged strategy for the winged brand.

What’s Next for Honda in MotoGP?

This leadership reshuffle within the official team is just one piece of Honda’s broader renewal strategy. The Japanese manufacturer is navigating a period of turbulence, struggling to keep pace with Ducati’s dominance and the steady progress of its rivals. Alberto Puig’s departure and the potential addition of Davide Brivio underscore a desire for profound change. The key now is to see who will take operational control 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 recapture its past glory.

Strategic Shift: Alberto Puig transitions from Team Manager to HRC Advisor.
New Horizon: The advisory role will encompass both MotoGP and WorldSBK operations.
Valued Experience: Puig will apply his extensive background to HRC’s overall development.
Potential Addition: Davide Brivio may join in a marketing-focused capacity.
Sporting Stakes: Honda aims to regain competitiveness amid fierce rivalry.
Key Transition: The appointment of a new team manager will be crucial for the team’s future.