Honda was expected to make a leap in performance after revamping its approach towards MotoGP over the winter, as it began life without its star rider Marc Marquez in the factory Repsol team.
But a tough Qatar Grand Prix highlighted the scale of challenge it still faces in order to close the gap to the front, with 2020 champion Joan Mir left to squabble with Fabio Quartararo for 11th as Honda and Yamaha effectively competed in a secondary division behind their European rivals.
