Luca Marini is confident in Honda’s competitive potential as the 2026 MotoGP season approaches, setting his sights higher than his 13th-place finish in the 2025 championship. The Italian rider is determined to improve his results with Honda, aiming to achieve podium finishes and push to the front of the pack.
Honda HRC’s Lineup and Season Preparations
On Monday, Honda HRC concluded its official presentations for the upcoming season, confirming its two riders: Luca Marini and Joan Mir. While Mir made notable strides last season, including two podium appearances, Marini impressed with consistent point-scoring performances, despite missing three races due to an injury sustained during testing for the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance event.
Throughout his third year with Honda, Marini has witnessed progress with the RC213V, especially in the latter half of the last season, which bolstered his motivation for 2026.
Marini’s Ambition to Reach Podium Positions
Now focused on surpassing last year’s outcomes, Marini is eager to secure podium placements, having last stood on the podium during his 2023 season with Ducati. Speaking at the presentation, he expressed his excitement and readiness:
“It’s a pleasure to start a new season with Honda HRC Castrol. The progress made in 2025 was extremely rewarding and I’ve worked all winter to improve and approach this new 2026 season with enthusiasm.” – Luca Marini, rider
He further highlighted the team’s drive and high expectations:
“I’m really looking forward to getting on the bike and trying it out. We have a few minor improvements, but above all, a lot of motivation and energy because we had a fantastic season in 2025 and we’re aiming for a much better ranking and a much better result this year. I think we’re capable of it. Our objectives are clear: to be at the front and seize every opportunity that comes our way. The whole team has been working incredibly hard. For this last year in the 1000cc class, we have to finish strong and savor every moment.” – Luca Marini, rider
Positive Signals from Pre-Season Testing
Marini’s confidence is bolstered by the impressive performance of Honda’s test rider Aleix Espargaró, who posted a fast lap time during the final day of the Shakedown, just 0.1 seconds shy of the pole position time set by Francesco Bagnaia last year. With pre-season testing kicking off soon, Marini remains optimistic about refining the RC213V’s pace.
Reflecting on Espargaró’s results, Marini added:
“Aleix is always very positive and enthusiastic, which is motivating for all of us; he’s always very fast. He set an excellent lap time, and I hope that everything he’s tried will be conclusive and positive, and that we can feel the same way. We’ll see after the first outing with the new bike if our impressions are clear from the start.” – Luca Marini, rider
The Road Ahead for Marini and Honda
As Honda’s MotoGP campaign enters its final year competing with the 1000cc class machinery, Marini and the team are poised to build on past progress with renewed focus and ambition. Their solid preparation and early testing promise an intense and competitive season, with the goal of climbing significantly in the championship standings and maintaining Honda’s legacy in the sport.
