Honda is looking to snap a barren period that has seen it score one race win in two years and go without a title since 2019.
While HRC made big gains with its 2024 RC213 compared to its predecessor, Honda is still lagging behind its rivals as the new season approaches.
“We tried everything we needed to try, we understand many things,” former VR46 Ducati rider Marini said after the final day of the Qatar test.
“So, now we have a lot of data and we can prepare well in the best way for the GP.
“Looks like we are still far away, but the feeling on the bike has improved.
“So, I’m satisfied on one side but for sure the gap is really huge, especially when we want to put in new tyres, the soft tyre, we cannot use them well.”
Marini added that he didn’t expect Honda’s rivals to take the step that they have in pre-season testing and has urged HRC to remain “patient”.
“About our performance, I didn’t expect a big improvement from the others because the lap times they made here [in Qatar] and also in Sepang are incredible,” he said after ending the final test 20th.
“About our lap time, I think it was quite normal. We are in this moment where we start from really behind, we need to be patient. We will arrive.”
Source: Autosport