Honda has reportedly tasked highly-respected Moto2 chassis-manufacturer Kalex with redesigning the chassis on its MotoGP-specification RC213-V as the Japanese manufacturer has taken desperate measures to return to competitiveness.
Honda has struggled to make headway with its premier class prototype across the last few years having lost its way, the organisation continuously churning out bikes that its riders not only struggle to make work over continuous laps in particular, but also over a single lap compared to current pacesetters Ducati and Aprilia.
Six-time premier class champion Marc Marquez has worked hard with Honda since returning from injury in the latter part of last season to turn its fortunes around, though its recent offerings again fell short – the brand bringing as many as four different chassis for its pilots to try during pre-season testing.
But now, according to Austrian publication Speedweek, Honda has now decided to turn once again to German engineering company Kalex, which successfully designed and provided a new swingarm for Honda’s MotoGP challenger towards the end of last season on top of supplying the vast majority of the Moto2 field.
Honda has reportedly tasked Kalex with a complete re-design of the chassis on its RC213-V, likely as pressure mounts from Marquez who could elect to switch marques should it fail to get its act together swiftly – the Spaniard now also provided with a useful yardstick after brother Alex switched from the Honda camp to the Gresini Racing squad for 2023 to campaign one of its Ducati Desmosedici’s.
The new chassis should be ready to test during Mays in-season test at the Jerez circuit in Spain, which takes place right after the fourth round of the year at the same venue for the Spanish Grand Prix.
Honda’s latest bold attempt to recapture its speed comes after replacing HRC technical director Takeo Yokoyama during the winter having failed to make progress with the organisation, with Suzuki refugee Ken Kawauchi brought onboard as his replacement.
Honda finished a disastrous sixth and last of the MotoGP constructors last season having scored just two rostrum results all year, with Marc ending the year as the best placed RC213-V pilot in the overall standings in a lowly 13th.
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