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