Jakarta – Italian young rider Luca Marini shared his adaptation process at Honda. Marini revealed that, in order to communicate effectively with his team members, he even learned Japanese!
As quoted from Crash, not many Japanese people speak English. Therefore, as a newcomer to the team, Marini made efforts to adjust. One of the ways he did this was by understanding what was being communicated by the local crew.
“When I arrived here (at Honda), many people warned me that communication with the Japanese would be more difficult, so I tried to explain myself in a very clear and calm way,” Luca Marini said, as quoted on Wednesday (December 4).
“So, I did the best I could. I tried to learn Japanese. I won’t give up, even though I know it’s very hard!” he added.
Now, although his Japanese skills are still quite limited, Marini admits he has developed a strong communication bond with the engineers of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). Valentino Rossi’s younger brother emphasized that after learning Japanese, his relationship with the team has gradually improved.
“In the beginning, it was important to build trust between us. But now they really trust me, and I truly appreciate this responsibility,” he said.
Ultimately, Marini appreciates the culture and habits of the Japanese crew that have been ingrained at Honda. As an Italian, he strives to adapt to them.
For the record, Marini joined Honda last season. He was contracted to the factory team for two years, until the end of 2025.
“I really respect their culture and way of working. It’s about trying to create a good relationship to understand their way of thinking. Because sometimes there are differences in culture and experience. So we try to be on the same page,” Marini concluded.
