Honda announced that Mikihiko Kawase will replace Alberto Puig as team manager of its MotoGP outfit for 2027, after Puig steps down at season’s end.
New Management Structure
With Puig moving into a consultative advisor role, Kawase will steer day‑to‑day operations from the garage, while Puig provides strategic oversight and remains a key liaison with the Japanese partners.
The change came after Honda opted for an internal successor, citing continuity and technical depth as priorities. This decision came in a context where Trackhouse’s Davide Brivio will enter as a marketing and business development director rather than a team head.
Alberto Puig’s Evolution
Alberto Puig, who has led Honda’s MotoGP programme for nine years, will stay involved in succession‑planning and governance, moving away from the operational grind but keeping his influence in high‑level decisions.
During last Saturday’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Puig and Kawase represented Honda at the Motorcycle Sport Manufacturers Association meeting, underscoring the partnership’s dual‑focus on political and regulatory matters.
Mikihiko Kawase’s Technical Path
Formerly a racer in Japan’s smaller‑bike categories, Kawase balanced racing with component‑supplier work before being recruited by Honda. In 2012 he joined Honda Racing Corporation and, as technical chief of the Moto3 project, secured the 2019 Moto3 world championship with Lorenzo Dalla Porta.
His promotion to technical director of the MotoGP project in 2024 marked the beginning of a new era, and he has once again stepped into the spotlight as team manager.
Strategic Alignment with Governing Bodies
Honda will keep a robust relationship with MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, the championship promoter, while aligning with the MSMA on regulatory and political issues. Kawase and Puig together will continue to represent the brand’s interests in these forums.
They are preparing for the sport’s most significant regulatory shift since the transition from two‑stroke to four‑stroke engines, a change poised to reshape the competitive framework.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Pout’s departure and Kawase’s ascension signal a clear handover that blends technical mastery with seasoned leadership. Kawase’s track record and Puig’s strategic legacy position Honda’s MotoGP programme for a focused push in the coming seasons. With Kawase at the helm engineering glides into 2027, Honda’s MotoGP arm stands ready for the rule‑change era.
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