 Honda continued to develop the V2 over the winter of 1996 and again entered the V2 as a works machine in 1997, this time piloted by Takuma Aoki.The bike proved competitive scoring seven Top 5 placings, its best being 2nd in Australia.The V2 was also sold to private teams, among them the newly formed Gresini Racing Team with rider Alex Barros who got onto the podium at Donington and finished the season 9th (ahead of six factory V4 bikes).