Luca Marini, the celebrated Italian rider for Honda HRC, has shared insights into his 2025 season, marked by both setbacks and progress. Recovering from a significant injury, Marini remains focused on advancing his performance while setting ambitious goals for Honda’s 2026 campaign.
He highlights their ongoing development efforts, stating,
“I am extremely proud of our work since the start of this season, as we are developing the bike in a very positive way. We are heading in the right direction.”
—Luca Marini, Rider
Despite this progress, he acknowledges that the results have not fully reflected their hard work, emphasizing the need for patience as they fine-tune critical elements.
“On my end, we are doing a fantastic job, so I’m super satisfied up to this point,”
Marini adds, reflecting his strong dedication to achieving excellence on track.
Identifying the Challenges and Strengths of the Current Bike
As the 2025 season approaches its end, Marini remains cautiously optimistic about improvements. He explains that while the bike offers an enjoyable and manageable ride, reaching top speeds during crucial moments remains challenging.
“From now until the end of the season, we can do much better. The strongest point, in a way, is how enjoyable the bike is to ride. It’s super easy, and if you look at FP1, we are often at the front. But when it’s time to push for that peak performance, finding those last two or three tenths becomes incredibly difficult. I believe this is a bit of our weakness,”
he admits, underscoring the fine margins that influence racing outcomes.
Growing Collaboration Inside Honda’s Technical Team
Marini also highlights the increasingly important role of Romano Albesiano, Honda Racing Corporation’s new Technical Director, in accelerating development strategies.
“Romano is becoming increasingly involved with the Japanese team. They share a good rapport, and I think this will expedite our process. A better connection among all parties will simplify development and enhance the bike,”
the rider reveals, indicating positive momentum within Honda’s technical leadership.
Overcoming Injury and Mental Hurdles During the Season
The season was also marked by a difficult personal battle for Marini, as he struggled through injury amidst efforts to rally performance gains.
“It was a challenging period because we were also improving our performance. Until that point, everything was going great. That injury was a setback that cost us valuable time. You want to return to what you love as soon as possible, and it was tough. However, I worked hard mentally, and now I feel fantastic,”
he shares, illustrating his resilience and mental strength during recovery.
Looking Toward a Promising 2026 Season with Honda
Marini’s hopes for 2026 are high, fueled by a growing base of technical resources and data. He stresses the importance of offseason testing to unlock the bike’s full potential.
“I have very high expectations for next year because we now have a lot of material to work with. It’s not easy to make improvements during a regular GP weekend since time is limited. We need some testing. When the Misano test comes, we’ll have a clearer idea for the next year. That will be a pivotal moment for understanding our potential,”
he explains, emphasizing the critical role of these evaluations.
He also cautions against wasting the winter period, aware of past missteps during offseason preparation.
“We must not waste time this offseason. In the past, we made some mistakes during this part of the season, but now, with more experience, we have a much better understanding,”
Marini warns, underscoring the value of lessons learned.
Marini’s Commitment to Honda’s Legacy and Future Success
As he concludes, Marini expresses pride in being part of Honda’s storied racing heritage and comfort within the team environment.
“I really enjoy being part of this family. I know that we represent a great manufacturer with a rich history in this sport, and I am proud to be here now. Since my arrival at Honda, we’ve made significant progress. Everything has changed since day one, and it feels fantastic to be part of this transformation. I know that in the future, I will be back at the top, fighting for the title. I want to be that rider, on a Honda, at that moment,”
he declares, inspiring fans with his determination to fight for championship glory.
