Team HRC Honda boss Leon Camier maintains the manufacturer’s WorldSBK project is making good progress despite another season spent on the fringes of the lead fight and a scant return in silverware. 

Entering its second season with ex-GP competitors Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge on riding duties, the Spanish duo struggled to lift Honda into the upper echelons of a WorldSBK hierarchy dominated by the factory Ducati and Yamaha teams.

Peaking with just a single podium result - a third achieved by Vierge during Round 2 in Indonesia - it represented no significant step forward over last year’s campaign for what was Honda’s fourth season since returning to the series in a full factory capacity.

Despite the meagre returns, 2009 BSB Champion and former WorldSBK rider Camier was nonetheless positive about HRC’s efforts and is confident progress is being made.

“There’s been lots of ups and downs! The podiums have been a highlight and it’s nice to see when the project is moving forwards, and everything is going in a good direction. 

“You take a lot of satisfaction in the position I’m in, seeing this progress. It’s hard to say one memory. There’s been many ups and downs, but this is racing, it’s something I’ve known for many years as a rider. 

“It’s been a privilege and an honour to be in this position and help try to grow the project.”

Honda will maintain its line-up of former KTM MotoGP rider Lecuona and Moto2 race winner Vierge for both the 2024 and 2025 WorldSBK seasons, both of whom will be upgraded to the manufacturer’s latest evolution of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade package.