Luca Marini expressed strong satisfaction that Honda had seriously considered his feedback from the recent Valencia test. Speaking during the Honda team’s 2026 presentation, Marini confidently predicted the team would outperform last year’s 13th place finish in the championship, signaling optimism about upcoming results. Encouraged by positive input from Honda’s test rider Aleix Espargaró following the Shakedown at Sepang, Marini was eager to experience the bike’s improvements firsthand.
Encouraging Test Day Results Bolster Confidence
At Sepang, Marini delivered impressive performances early in testing, securing second place in the morning session and finishing within the top five during the afternoon. He ended the day sixth overall in combined times, surpassing teammate Joan Mir, while another Honda rider, Johann Zarco, placed 11th, just outside the top ten. These promising results suggest the Honda RC213V is on a strong upward trajectory during testing.
Marini Reflects on Significant Progress Compared to Last Year
Marini noted the considerable advancements since last year when he ranked 15th at the same test, over a second slower than the leader. He praised Honda’s effort in addressing his requests from Valencia, backing their commitment to improvement.
“It was a pretty positive first day, we have to be happy. The bike is working quite well. There’s obviously still room for improvement since our rivals are still ahead of us, but if you look at where we started last year and where we are today, for a first day of testing, you can see a big step forward, so I’m very happy and very satisfied.”
Luca Marini, MotoGP Rider
“I would say that the Japanese listened to me; they brought practically everything I asked for at the Valencia test. It’s fantastic to have this response from them; it proves that they worked hard during the winter. They brought things that go in the right direction with the aim of addressing our weaknesses.”
Luca Marini, MotoGP Rider
Enhanced Bike Performance in Key Areas
Although still half a second behind the leading time, Marini identified clear enhancements in aspects where the RC213V previously struggled, including braking, cornering, and acceleration. He emphasized that the progress comes from multiple small improvements combined, which collectively mark a critical step forward.
“Back in Valencia, there were already a lot of new parts, and we tested them again to confirm things. The bike has improved in many small details that we were lacking. Last year, we were a bit behind in braking, cornering, and also in acceleration. All these things have improved, maybe not by much, but it’s a combination of factors. That’s what pleases me, because we’ve already made progress compared to the end of the season. That was the most important thing for us; the goal was to pick up where we were, which was in the top seven, and then be able to fight for the podium every weekend.”
Luca Marini, MotoGP Rider
Looking Ahead to the Season Ahead
The initial success at Sepang suggests that Honda is closing the gap to its rivals, and Marini’s positive assessments reflect a team building momentum toward a more competitive 2026 season. With the RC213V evolving steadily and drivers like Marini and Mir showing improved pace, Honda appears to be on course to contend for higher championship standings.
