Honda’s 2026 WorldSBK season has been challenging, but Jake Dixon believes the CBR1000RR-R has the potential to break into the top six. At the Italian WorldSBK race, Dixon secured ninth place in Race 1, marking Honda’s first top-10 finish of the season.
Dixon noted that his result could have been significantly better if not for a crash during his initial timed lap in Superpole qualifying, which left him starting in 18th position. “Unfortunately, I made a mistake in qualifying and ended up starting far back,” Dixon told WorldSBK.com after the race.
He expressed regret toward his team, acknowledging the strong package they provided that could have fought for sixth or seventh place. Despite the setback, Dixon gave his all in Race 1 but struggled to pass riders Bassani and Locatelli during a crucial phase of the race. “It was frustrating because I had more pace, but I couldn’t make progress where it mattered most. I tried everything, but eventually had to defend against Bautista behind me,” he explained. Nevertheless, he enjoyed the challenge of moving up from his grid position and hopes for improvement in the next race.
Discussing Honda’s recent improvements, Dixon highlighted that his growing fitness has played a key role in better performances, along with the team gradually unlocking the bike’s potential. “I’m getting fitter, which is a major factor,” he said. He pointed out that earlier in the season, test and replacement riders couldn’t fully exploit the machine, but progress is being made steadily. “Step by step, we are moving forward, but we need to push harder and faster. Currently, the bike feels good for seventh or eighth place, but we aim for much more.”
Fan Take: Dixon’s optimism signals a turning point for Honda in WorldSBK, suggesting that better results are on the horizon with continued development and fitness gains. For racing fans, this promises a more competitive grid and closer battles, which could greatly enhance the excitement and unpredictability of the championship.
Source: www.crash.net
