Mikihiko Kawase Named Honda HRC Castrol Team Manager for 2027
Honda HRC Castrol has officially appointed current Technical Manager Mikihiko Kawase as the team manager for the 2027 MotoGP season. Kawase will transition into the role while receiving ongoing support from outgoing team manager Alberto Puig, who is set to transition into the position of Honda HRC Advisor. This leadership shift aims to stabilize the factory team as it prepares for significant upcoming regulatory changes in the sport.
Did You Know? Before his tenure in management, Mikihiko Kawase spent his early career as a lightweight class racer in Japan between the ages of 18 and 27, funding his racing pursuits by working for various parts manufacturers.
Kawase’s Path to Leadership
Mikihiko Kawase brings extensive experience to the team manager role, having spent his entire professional life within the racing industry. After joining Honda, he moved to the Honda HRC project in 2012. He eventually served as the Large Project Leader (LPL) for the NSF250RW, where he led the manufacturer to a lightweight class crown in 2019. Following that success, he transitioned to the MotoGP project and has served as the team’s Technical Manager since 2024.
Strategic Transition for 2027
The appointment of Kawase is designed to provide continuity as Honda faces a major evolution in MotoGP. According to Kawase, the 2027 season represents a landmark year for the championship, marked by the most significant rule and regulation changes since the transition from two-stroke to four-stroke engines. The team expects that the mentorship provided by Alberto Puig, who brings decades of experience in the Grand Prix paddock, will be vital to navigating this transition.
Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the structural shift at Honda HRC signals a focus on technical continuity. By elevating a former Large Project Leader who understands both the engineering side and the competitive history of the factory, Honda is prioritizing internal institutional knowledge to address the performance gaps that have defined their recent seasons.
What May Happen Next
As the 2027 season approaches, the new leadership team is expected to focus on maximizing performance to return to the front of the grid. Analysts suggest that the collaboration between Kawase and Puig could allow the team to balance the technical demands of the new regulations with the strategic management required in the elite class. The success of this leadership model may depend on how effectively the team integrates these changes to regain its competitive standing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will lead the Honda HRC factory team in 2027?
Mikihiko Kawase, the current Technical Manager, has been appointed as the team manager for 2027.
What is the future role of Alberto Puig?
Alberto Puig, the current team manager, will serve as a Honda HRC Advisor to assist Kawase.
Why is the 2027 season considered a landmark year for MotoGP?
According to Kawase, 2027 will feature the biggest changes to rules and regulations since the championship transitioned from two-stroke to four-stroke engines.
How do you think these management changes will impact Honda’s performance during the upcoming regulatory shift in MotoGP?