P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Takaaki Nakagami set to complete Honda’s initial 850cc MotoGP testing before Aleix Espargaro joins mid-season.
Honda’s rise in the MotoGP concession rankings means a shift in focus for its race riders, who are no longer allowed to participate in private testing.
This puts more responsibility on factory test riders Aleix Espargaro and Takaaki Nakagami as they spearhead the development of the new 850cc engine and Pirelli package.
Espargaro revealed that Nakagami will handle testing the 850cc and Pirellis in the early months of the year, while he concentrates on the 2026 bike.
With Honda freezing its 1000cc engine specification alongside Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia, the team is focused on maximizing their current engine’s performance before the freeze.
Following the transition to a new bike and the loss of full concessions, Espargaro anticipates a workload similar to the previous year, with attention shifting to the 2027 850cc prototype.
Despite these changes, Espargaro remains optimistic about Honda’s engine strength and its potential for improvement before the start of the 2026 season.
