The appointment of Romano Albesiano as Honda's technical director for 2025 marks a significant shift for the traditionally Japanese-centric company. However, Albesiano's success will depend less on what he brings and more on how much freedom he's given.

In 2023, Honda Racing Corporation made several leadership changes, yet they’ve failed to translate into better results for its MotoGP teams. Shinichi Kokubu was replaced by Shin Sato as HRC’s general technical director, and later, Taichi Honda, from the off-road division, took over as general manager. However, off-road expertise has done little to improve MotoGP performance, and the results have worsened.

Last year, after 16 races, Honda’s riders had collected 189 points, including a win by Alex Rins. But by the same point in 2024, the highest finish is ninth place by Johann Zarco. In the constructors' standings, Honda sits last with just 51 points, trailing Yamaha by 42 points, despite having four riders.

The decline in the RC213V’s performance, especially compared to Ducati, highlights why Albesiano’s arrival is critical. Last year, Honda had a chance to sign Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati’s technical mastermind, but the deal fell through. While Honda has strengthened its partnership with chassis specialist Kalex, it has yet to see significant improvement.

Albesiano, who led Aprilia’s resurgence, signals a possible shift in Honda’s philosophy. For a company so dedicated to tradition, bringing in an outside perspective like his indicates a willingness to change that was previously absent. But whether he’s given the power to make a real difference remains uncertain.

Alberto Puig, Honda’s team manager since 2018, was key to securing Albesiano’s recruitment. He praised Albesiano’s experience with Aprilia and Cagiva and noted how crucial it is to learn from rivals like Aprilia, especially as MotoGP becomes more like Formula 1 in its constant technical evolution.

Albesiano’s arrival is part of a broader strategy, with Honda even considering establishing a new base in Europe to streamline operations. It’s a bold move aimed at rejuvenating a brand that has struggled in recent years, signaling that Honda is serious about change.