Honda’s incumbent technical manager Mikihiko Kawase will switch to the team manager role for the 2027 MotoGP season.
Current team manager Alberto Puig will support Kawase in the role before moving into an advisory position at the end of 2026.
Kawase competed in Japan’s lightweight classes between 18 and 27 years of age before working with Honda’s Moto3 project in 2012.
He led Honda to the 2019 moto3 world title with a programme called Larger Project Leader before working for the Japanese marque in the premier class.
“I am honoured to have this opportunity to lead a team with this much history and success,” stated Kawase’s in MotoGP’s statement.
“I must thank Honda for this opportunity and also Alberto Puig who has already been a great mentor and advisor for many years.
“The support of both will be crucial to the future success of the team. 2027 will be a landmark year for MotoGP with the biggest changes to rules and regulations since the championship went from two-stroke to four-stroke.
“Inside Honda, we must continue to give our maximum to start this new era strongly and return to fighting at the front.”
Honda’s internal changes behind the scenes will extend further, with Trackhouse boss Davide Brivio set to take on a senior role, though his exact responsibilities and official title are yet to be confirmed.