Honda Racing has confirmed Scot Hargreaves as the team’s new manager following the shock departure of long-serving boss Havier Beltran last September.

Beltran left the team ahead of the three-round British Superbike Showdown, with a short statement from Honda Racing shedding no light on the reason for his abrupt exit and unusually offering no words of gratitude for his service.

“Honda Racing confirms that Havier Beltran has left Honda employment with immediate effect,” the statement issued in September read.

“All operational questions should be referred to Neil Fletcher, the Head of Racing Department in HME.”

placeholder image — New Honda Racing Team Manager Scot Hargreaves with Jason O'Halloran. (Photo by Double Red)

Beltran’s replacement Hargreaves will oversee the team’s endeavours in the British Superbike Championship and road racing programme at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.

His Honda career began in 2003 when he joined as a technician at George Petch Honda in Grimsby, initially studying on the Honda apprenticeship program.

He made the move into motorsport in 2016, working as a chassis technician for Jason O’Halloran, who has returned to the BSB line-up for 2026 alongside Ryan Vickers.

Hargreaves won a British Supersport title as crew chief to Irishman Jack Kennedy in 2024 and was also part of Mugen’s successful TT Zero project in 2019.

“I am extremely grateful to Honda for this privileged opportunity to manage Honda Racing in the British Championship and on the roads,” said Hargreaves.

“The 2026 season is almost upon us and there is a buzz of positivity and enthusiasm around the team with a number of fresh and familiar faces amongst us. All of whom are enormously capable individuals keen to deliver on the potential we all know is possible.

“I have been a part of this team for a decade and know firsthand that there is a great team of people around me and I have learnt a great deal from each and every one of them over the years, for which I am especially thankful.

“I strongly believe that we have all of the necessary ingredients for a successful season and I look forward to continuing to represent Honda to the highest standard in all competitions.”

Team Principal Neil Fletcher said Hargreaves was a “highly motivated and capable lead”.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Scot Hargreaves into the role of Team Manager, a move that has been in the planning for a long time now,” he said.

“I am certain that he will lead with the same dedication and professionalism that has enabled him to achieve such success already with Honda in the various roles that he has occupied in his career to date.

“In Scot, we have a highly motivated and capable leader who steps up to manager in a very exciting time for the team.

“We have the perfect blend of youth and experience and I very much look forward to getting back out on track soon and competing at the sharp end in all classes.”

Dublin’s Kennedy will again spearhead Honda’s British Supersport challenge while Dean Harrison and John McGuinness lead the team’s road racing programme at the NW200 and TT.

A period of pre-season testing is scheduled overseas before the first official appearance of the year at the BSB test at Donington Park from April 3-4.