This week, Honda is at the Buriram circuit for two days of private testing, marking the debut of its new technical director, Romano Albesiano, on track.
Only Aleix Espargaró and Takaaki Nakagami, the test riders, are in action. For the Spaniard, this is his second test, following his participation in the Barcelona test last November. The Japanese rider transitions from LCR Honda, so he is already familiar with the bike. Regular riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini are not yet in action at this stage.
However, Albesiano has already joined the team, where he reunites with Espargaró after both worked together at Aprilia until last year. The rider highlighted the reunion on social media: ‘Let’s kick off a new and exciting adventure, yet with the comforting familiarity of a path we’ve walked before’.
This private Honda test takes place at the circuit that will host the season’s first Grand Prix between late February and early March, as well as two official test days a few weeks prior.