Luca Marini on growth at Honda and why 2026 is his best chance to win in MotoGP
When Marc Marquez announced his departure from Honda at the end of 2023, it sparked something in Luca Marini. It reminded him of his childhood dreams — riding in the same iconic colours once worn by his half-brother Valentino Rossi at HRC. Leaving behind the comfort and solid results of his family-run VR46 Racing Team, the Italian […]
Honda on the brink of losing MotoGP’s top concession perks
Honda’s steady improvement in recent races has left the manufacturer just 19 points short of dropping out of MotoGP’s highest concession bracket. After the final two rounds of the 2025 season at Portimao and Valencia, the position of each of the five manufacturers in different concession tiers will be recalculated. Since the system was reintroduced […]
‘We have to walk before we can run’
Joan Mir says it is too early for Honda to start thinking about winning races in MotoGP again, insisting the Japanese manufacturer must consolidate its recent progress before aiming higher. Honda has enjoyed a resurgence in 2025 after enduring its worst spell in MotoGP in decades, with last weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix marking its fourth podium finish […]
Joan Mir “proud” to pass a Ducati on Sepang’s straight as Honda engine improves
Joan Mir says he is “proud” to have overtaken Fermin Aldeguer’s Ducati with Honda’s improved straightline performance in the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix. Factory HRC rider Mir bagged his second podium in four races at Sepang, finishing third behind winner Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta, after Francesco Bagnaia retired late on with a puncture. Starting […]
Joan Mir celebrates “easy” day at Sepang as Honda trio lauds bike
Honda’s leading three MotoGP riders were all glowing with praise for the RC213V following the first day’s action at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Friday. After a form dip in Australia last weekend, the Japanese marque rediscovered its recent upward trajectory in Practice at Sepang, with LCR’s Johann Zarco second-fastest and factory rider Joan Mir fourth-quickest. […]
Honda 2026 MotoGP bike already better than 2025 version
Factory Honda MotoGP rider Luca Marini says development on next year’s RC213V is progressing strongly and that it is already better than the current prototype. The Japanese marque is enjoying its best season in MotoGP since 2021, having scored one victory and two other podiums in the first 18 rounds of the 2025 campaign. While Zarco’s Le […]
Joan Mir hits back at naysayers after first Honda MotoGP podium
Joan Mir says it is “easy to hide behind the phone” and criticise MotoGP riders after securing his maiden podium with Honda in last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. Mir finished third behind factory Ducati duo Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez at Motegi, ending a 1,422-day drought stretching back to his last podium finish with Suzuki […]
The “next-level” chassis that can deliver up to four tenths to Honda in MotoGP
The “next-level” chassis Honda has introduced in recent MotoGP races is capable of delivering a performance benefit of up to four tenths of a second, according to test rider Aleix Espargaro. Factory riders Luca Marini and Joan Mir have been racing an upgraded RC213V since the summer break, enjoying a significant pace advantage over the […]
Luca Marini has “really high expectations” from Honda for 2026 MotoGP season
Luca Marini says he has “really high expectations” from Honda for the 2026 MotoGP season after being impressed by the progress he has witnessed so far this year. The factory HRC squad has enjoyed a strong run of form since MotoGP returned from summer break, with Joan Mir finishing sixth in Austria and Marini going […]