Honda and Yamaha have fallen behind the European constructors in MotoGP in recent years and are now looking to return to good results. The efforts are evident, both in terms of the solutions implemented on the bikes and in terms of human resources – with the hiring of more renowned European engineers.
Ramón Forcada participated in a conversation on the Duralavita YouTube channel, where he noted this change and the lengthy process it represents: ‘First of all, they did something that is complicated: both changed technical direction. This is not done overnight; the whole machine needs to be oiled. Both are becoming a bit more European, they are hiring European engineers. They had the problem that due to the Japanese character, the European engineers who were there until now did not have enough prestige for a Japanese engineer or a project leader to pay attention to them‘.
The former Yamaha member continued: ‘They didn’t listen to them – not after trying things out. Someone would bring them a motor plan – a specialist, not a mechanic apprentice – a Formula 1 engine engineer specifically, would come with a motor plan and they would say, “No, this won’t be good, there’s no need to test it.” This is the mentality they have to change and it takes a lot of time for this‘.
According to Forcada, culture has always been the major issue for Japanese builders, who remained faithful to their philosophy: ‘I have said many times: the problem with Japanese factories is not the factories; it’s that they are Japanese. The problem is this, Japanese culture. Someone has to decide and say: “We have come this far, now let’s change our philosophy or continue trying to fight with them with our philosophy. So far they have not succeeded with their philosophy. Therefore, now there are people, but the big question I have is, who lets them do it? I don’t know‘.
