Alberto Puig discussed Honda's involvement at the Barcelona MotoGP Test and their newest Test Rider.
At the Barcelona Test earlier this week Honda Racing Corporation deployed their newest MotoGP Test Rider.
After fighting for the podium at Barcelona on Sunday with Aprilia Racing, Aleix Espargaro made his Honda debut two days later. The Spaniard is Honda's newest MotoGP Test Rider and got straight to work with the RC213V.
At the end of the test, Espargaro was the fastest Honda rider as he finished 14th, 0.063 seconds faster than Joan Mir in 15th.
Factory Honda's Team Manager, Alberto Puig, discussed Espargaro's debut with the Japanese manufacturer.
"I am really happy, we are really happy, we were surprised," Puig told MotoGP.com. "Well not surprised because we know the guy is fast, he was fighting for the podium on Sunday so we know he has speed.
"But I was impressed with how he was talking to our engineers, very straight, very precise and very clear in what he thought were the strong and weak points of the bike.
"This is what we were looking for, an experienced guy, but also a fast guy, because at the end of the day you need a combination.
"But it was very positive, he looked happy, and I am sure his contribution to Honda is going to be important."
'We have made some steps but we are not there yet.'
Puig went on to discuss why Honda decided not to bring a new prototype machine to Barcelona.
"It has been a little bit different, we did not bring a new prototype machine," Puig explained.
"During the year we have been testing a lot so there was no need to bring a new bike here. But we did bring some items for the bike that are important for us that we are still testing.
"These items will give us some more clues for the winter, they are important items for the bike that can help us next season.
"We have made some steps but we are not there yet. We need to keep understanding the direction and this is what we are trying."
