Critical Honda issue 'completely solved' but further challenges remain

The last few years have been nothing short of disastrous for Honda. Formerly the unrivalled and dominant force in MotoGP, recent seasons have seen them closer to the back of the grid than the front of it, but a return to form does appear to be cooking within the Japanese factory.

While the HRC team's fortunes weren't the best in the opening round at the Thai Grand Prix, with Joan Mir forced to retire due to a tyre issue and Marini finishing in 10th place, the latter has confirmed that one long-standing issue with the bike has been 'completely solved.'

The chatter problems caused by the bike's rear wheel, particularly during cornering, have certainly made life difficult for the Honda duo. The pair were largely outshined last year by the performances of satellite rider Johann Zarco, who finished as the highest Honda rider in the final season standings in 11th.

"We worked a lot during last season, and now we have a good balance.” Marini said after the Thai Grand Prix, "We improved the setting of the bike, first of all, and during the last part of the season, it was better."

"And the riding style also. We adapted and improved how to ride, to force in a different way in corner entry to not create this vibration. Because if we go much more aggressive, like I would say with a lot of rear brake, then the vibration starts. If we are smoother, the vibration is less."

"During all last season, I was the rider with less vibration because I was riding more smoothly. So now the others are also doing a little bit more this kind of thing and it works better. But also, the setting of the bike is improved."

Despite the progressive improvements, Marini remained realistic about where the team are, and the fact that there are still further issues to be resolved with the bike.

"The bike is good, we found more performance, but still we need to work on our main target, that is the rear grip."

"It's clear to everybody and soon some updates will arrive, but we need to wait a little bit more. [...] When we go out with the medium rear tyre, the gap compared to the top is less. I'm more competitive [with medium] than with the soft."

Honda will be hoping for a solid performance at the next Grand Prix in Goiania, Brazil, and the fact that it is an unknown track for virtually all the riders and teams could be to their favour.