Honda announces Mikihiko Kawase as new Team Manager for MotoGP 2027 era

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has officially announced that Mikihiko Kawase will replace Alberto Puig as Team Manager of its MotoGP factory team starting in 2027. The change comes as the Japanese manufacturer prepares for the introduction of new MotoGP regulations in 2027, which include smaller-capacity engines and reduced aerodynamic devices. Puig, who has led the team for nearly a decade, will take on a new role as a technical and sports advisor for Honda's MotoGP and WorldSBK programs from 2027 onward.

Alberto Puig, a former Grand Prix rider who raced for Honda in the 1980s and 1990s, became Team Manager in 2018. Under his leadership, Honda achieved back-to-back Triple Crowns in 2018 and 2019 with Marc Marquez, winning the riders', constructors', and teams' championships. However, following Marquez's injury in 2020, Honda struggled to compete with rivals such as Ducati, KTM, Aprilia, and Yamaha, enduring a period without victories and falling from the front of the pack. Puig was instrumental in overseeing a major restructuring of HRC, including recruiting European technical talent and shifting development philosophy.

Mikihiko Kawase, who has been part of Honda's racing projects for many years, previously served as MotoGP Technical Manager after leading the Moto3 project that secured Honda the world championship in 2019. Born in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, Kawase began his career as a racer in small-capacity classes before joining HRC in 2012. He expressed pride in being given the opportunity to lead one of MotoGP's most successful teams, acknowledging Puig as a mentor and advisor over the years. Kawase described the 2027 season as a historic moment, citing the largest regulatory change since MotoGP's shift from two-stroke to four-stroke engines.

Reports also indicate that Honda is planning a full overhaul of its rider lineup for the 2027 season. Current riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini are under contract until the end of 2026 but may not be retained. Speculation links Honda to Fabio Quartararo and young talent David Alonso as potential replacements to lead the team into the new regulatory era.