Honda has officially confirmed that Luca Marini will continue riding for its factory MotoGP team during the 2026 season, ending months of speculation around their rider line-up. The announcement reinforces Marini’s ongoing role after he replaced Marc Marquez last year under a two-year contract.
The Italian rider faced a challenging debut season on Honda’s RC213V, which struggled for competitiveness. However, he has shown marked improvement in 2025 despite missing several races due to an injury sustained during a Suzuka 8 Hours test crash. Currently, Marini sits 13th in the championship standings and recently achieved his best results with Honda at the Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing fifth in the main race and fourth in the sprint.
Marini Expresses Commitment and Optimism for the Future
Reflecting on the announcement, Luca Marini expressed his satisfaction with staying at Honda’s factory squad. He highlighted the alignment between his vision and Honda Racing Corporation’s (HRC) management regarding their future plans.
I am very happy to make this announcement and remain with Honda HRC,
he said.
We have just been working on a few final details, both HRC’s management and myself have been aligned on the future for quite a while.
Marini emphasized his dedication to helping Honda regain a leading position within the MotoGP World Championship.
I am completely invested in this project and determined to help Honda return to the front in the MotoGP World Championship.
He also noted the benefits of working with a factory team, stressing the motivation it provides to develop continuously.
Since joining the team in 2024, we have continued to improve and work together in an ever-improving way.
Working with a factory, and especially a factory like Honda HRC, gives you huge motivation as a rider.
We have had a good season so far and the focus remains to continue improving until the very last lap in Valencia.
End of Rumors Solidifies Marini’s Position on the Factory Team
Speculation around Honda’s rider choices had intensified throughout the year, as several high-profile names were linked with a move to the factory squad. Pedro Acosta of KTM had been rumoured to potentially join Honda, driven by his frustrations with the KTM RC16.
Further uncertainty arose from contract discussions involving Jorge Martin and Aprilia, with Martin’s manager confirming Honda as a possible destination in June. Honda, however, denied making Martin an offer, and the dispute with Aprilia was ultimately resolved, with Martin staying at Aprilia through 2026.
These developments cleared the way for Marini to maintain his role, supported by his reputation within the team for a detailed and analytical approach to bike development. Meanwhile, Johann Zarco of LCR had openly expressed a desire to join the factory Honda team, but this decision effectively ends those ambitions for the upcoming season.
Looking Ahead: What Marini’s Retention Means for Honda’s MotoGP Campaign
Securing Luca Marini for 2026 allows Honda to continue building stability within their factory team while focusing on development progress. Marini’s steady improvement, combined with his collaborative work ethic, suggests the team’s long-term goal to return to the front of the grid remains on track. With Honda aiming to capitalize on recent advancements, the upcoming season will be crucial in measuring how this partnership influences their competitiveness in MotoGP.
