Alberto Puig, the untouchable: a blunt reply to those calling for his resignation

Since Marc Marquez ended up in the gravel at Jerez in July 2020, Honda and Alberto Puig have gone through a turbulent period. After so many seasons at the top of MotoGP, the Japanese manufacturer is struggling at the bottom of the standings. In 2025 a few rays of sunshine appeared, but without a competitive RC-V, Marini, Mir and Zarco couldn’t work miracles.

Over the last five years HRC has had to weather many storms: Marc Marquez’s injury and departure, contract issues, a drop in competitiveness, a change of main sponsor, and reshuffles in the technical structure. Alberto Puig has never been called into question, trying to tackle adversity in the best possible way. See the hiring of a key engineer like Romano Albesiano and an experienced test rider like Aleix Espargaro. They even tried to sign Jorge Martin ahead of time, but Aprilia vetoed it...

The 2024 MotoGP season severely tested everyone’s patience and faith at Honda. Joan Mir and Luca Marini finished the championship in 21st and 22nd place. The Golden Wing brand once again found itself last in the constructors’ standings. In 2025 we witnessed a positive reaction, with Zarco triumphant in the wet at Le Mans and on the podium at Silverstone. Plus, a promotion to Concessions Category C thanks to Marini’s seventh place in the final race at Valencia.

The change of course also helped secure the signature of rising star Diogo Moreira, Moto2 world champion, on a multi-year contract. But until Honda can add more trophies to its cabinet, Alberto Puig will remain under pressure. In recent years every team has seen changes in managerial roles, except him, who has retained HRC’s trust since 2006. "Since I’ve been here, I’ve tried to pursue this goal: winning. Whatever happens around us is beyond my control,” he told Speedweek.com. “In my position, I simply try to get the best out of everything: the best riders, the best people. There are many things beyond my control, and if someone else does something better than we do, then we are at a disadvantage.”

On the other hand, Puig has never given up, nor chosen to resign to get out of trouble. “Honda has always been special to me. I don’t know if it’s the name, the logo, or something else.” Public opinion, however, has questioned his work, as if the world titles were solely thanks to former rider Marc Marquez. Alberto remains tough and immovable. “I have never questioned my motivation, my will, my love for the sport and for Honda, nor my abilities. It’s a bit like football: if the team doesn’t make progress, the first person everyone wants to replace is the coach. But in this case, after many years you get used to it. It’s not pleasant, but it hasn’t changed my life.”