Honda MotoGP and Haas F1 bosses cite disappointment with 2026 season start

Honda Racing Corporation’s MotoGP team manager Alberto Puig said the Japanese manufacturer’s 2026 campaign has fallen short of expectations. After a podium in Barcelona, the team has only managed a fifth‑place sprint finish for Luca Marini in Austin and a similar result for Johann Zarco in Barcelona, with the overall performance lagging behind rivals that have introduced more development. Puig noted that Honda did not invest as heavily in the current bike as competitors and that the team has slipped into the lower concession group despite finishing the previous season strongly.

Haas F1 team director Ayao Komatsu also took responsibility for his squad’s decline after a promising start to the 2026 Formula 1 season. While the American team initially secured points finishes in Australia and China, it has struggled to keep pace with rivals’ rapid development under the new technical regulations. Komatsu blamed limited resources and structural constraints, emphasizing that the loss of ground does not reflect the abilities of his staff but rather the team’s capacity to evolve the VF‑26 car.

Both leaders highlighted the challenges of maintaining competitiveness in a season where rapid upgrades are crucial, and they expressed a commitment to improve results in the remaining races.