Lucio Cecchinello Reflects on Honda’s Decline: “Ducati Put Us in Trouble…

Lucio Cecchinello Reflects on Honda’s Decline: “Ducati Put Us in Trouble.

Lucio Cecchinello, the experienced team manager of LCR Honda, has candidly addressed Honda’s struggles in recent MotoGP seasons, pinpointing the aftermath of 2022 as a turning point. In his analysis, Cecchinello emphasized Ducati’s relentless progress as a key factor that has left Honda grappling to remain competitive.

“Ducati put us in trouble,” Cecchinello admitted in a recent interview. “Their advancements in performance and innovation since 2022 have raised the bar to an entirely new level. It’s a challenge we haven’t been able to meet.”

Honda, once the pinnacle of MotoGP success, has found itself slipping behind competitors in the wake of Ducati’s dominance. The Italian manufacturer’s advancements in aerodynamics, engine power, and rideability have made their bikes the benchmark of the grid. This, combined with their strategic rider development and data-sharing approach, has left rivals—including Honda—scrambling for answers.

Cecchinello highlighted the fundamental issues Honda has faced in adapting to the changing demands of modern MotoGP. “The competition has evolved significantly, especially in areas like aerodynamics and electronics. Honda, unfortunately, struggled to keep pace with those advancements, and Ducati capitalized on that gap,” he explained.

The departure of key technical staff and an overreliance on past successes have also contributed to Honda’s challenges. The once-dominant Japanese manufacturer has found it difficult to create a bike that meets the needs of riders and the demands of increasingly competitive circuits.

Cecchinello also acknowledged the morale challenge faced by the team as results have dwindled. “It’s not just about the bike; it’s about the confidence of the riders. When results are not coming, it affects everything—development, motivation, and belief in the project,” he said.

Despite the setbacks, Cecchinello remains hopeful for Honda’s future. Efforts are underway to restructure and realign their development strategy, with new talent and fresh approaches being introduced into the technical team. However, Cecchinello is realistic about the scale of the task.

“Catching Ducati won’t happen overnight,” he concluded. “But Honda has the resources and history to fight back. We need to learn from this difficult period and come back stronger.”

As Honda navigates its way out of this challenging phase, the question remains whether the legendary manufacturer can reclaim its former glory or continue to be overshadowed by the brilliance of Ducati.