Stoner on Lorenzo’s Honda switch

The transition from Ducati to Honda in 2019 by Jorge Lorenzo will be made smoother with a tailor-made RC213V to suit the style of the three-time MotoGP world champion.

Honda’s 2011 world champion Casey Stoner says Lorenzo can expect Honda to do something special for him and he has no doubt Lorenzo can win on a Honda.

Stoner made the transition from Ducati to Honda in 2011 and won the championship and 10 races in his first season with the Japanese company.

“I think it will be an easier transition for Jorge to go from the Ducati to a Honda, compared to what he did two years ago moving from the Yamaha M1 to Ducati,” Stoner said. “The Honda is more of a normal-feeling bike.

“While the wins took longer than we expected, Jorge proved he could win on a Ducati. And moving to Honda will be a motivation for him.

“I have no doubt he can do it on a Honda, I am very interested to see what happens.

“And it is very likely that only the engine spec, brakes, wheels and tyres will be the identical items on the two Hondas ridden by Jorge and Marc Marquez next year.”

Stoner experienced first hand the resources that Honda can throw at MotoGP and the motivation and passion for winning held by HRC technical director Takeo Yokoyama.

After his race retirement at the end of 2012, Stoner spent three years with HRC as a test rider before rejoining Ducati in 2016.

“Honda can have different chassis specs and the rider can pick the one he likes, even different swingarms and geometry,” Stoner said. “When I was there very often

Dani Pedrosa and I made different choices and, from testing, I know Marc always preferred a different frame spec and set-up to Dani.

“And it’s possible Jorge and Marc will even use different engine-map options. Some people say the Japanese are cold and robotic to work with, but I didn’t find that at Honda, I found them very motivated and open.

“Takeo Yokoyama is very intense and passionate about racing, he was always interested in what I had to say about the bike and look at different options.

“Takeo is also very strong with his opinions and direction but that is never a bad thing.  “And from past experience Jorge knows the Japanese way of working.”

By Colin Young