The personnel restructuring in Honda’s MotoGP project continues. According to information from the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com, Tetsuhiro Kuwata will return to the automotive department within the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC).
However, not immediately, but only from April 1st, when the new annual calendar begins within the Japanese company. Kuwata held the title of “HRC General Manager” since 2016 and led all motorsport projects in the motorcycle sector – from MotoGP to the Dakar Rally.
His successor will be Taichi Honda, who previously worked in the off-road department. With success, because Honda won the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in January 2024. And with a completely new motorcycle that only took part in the first rally last fall.
Kuwata joined Honda in 2000 and worked in the development center for the then Formula 1 project. Between 2005 and 2008 he was in the racing engine department. After a short detour to production cars, he joined the MotoGP project in 2010, initially as a development engineer.
This restructuring is not the first in top management in recent months. At the end of 2022, technical director Takeo Yokoyama was appointed back to Tokyo. Ken Kawauchi, whom Honda hired from Suzuki, took over his position.
Last season, technical manager Shinichi Kokubu was dismissed. He was also no longer there at the Japanese home race in Motegi. Shin Sato has taken over his position. Honda has filled internally, just like in the case of Kuwata.
It cannot be ruled out that there could be further personnel changes. Honda is taking the difficult situation in MotoGP seriously. Kalex designer Alex Baumgärtel, who was seen in the pits for the first time at the Malaysia test wearing a Honda shirt, was also hired as a consultant.