Marini: 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 Mans victory and second-place at Silverstone delivered a much-needed morale boost to the factory, it is the updated bike introduced after the summer break that has uplifted its spirit.

Armed with a new chassis, swingarm and improved aero, Joan Mir scored his first podium as a Honda rider with a third-place finish in the Japanese Grand Prix, while Marini looked set to repeat that result in Indonesia last weekend until a clash with Raul Fernandez left him tumbling down the order.

Thanks to MotoGP’s concession system, Honda has been able to develop and test its 2026-spec RC213V, with Marini getting to sample the bike himself at Misano last month.

Asked for his thoughts on the 2026 Honda, which will be the final bike built to the current regulations, Marini said: “Next year’s bike will be even better. 

“We are developing it every time with new ideas and some updates. We will try for sure again in the Valencia test, but I think it's already better than the bike we have now.”

Luca Marini, Honda HRC

Marini further highlighted how Honda is finally addressing some long-running weaknesses of the RC213V, including a lack of rear grip, with its 2026 upgrade.

“[It is better] in details, especially because there is so much potential there,” he said. “The [current] bike is not working properly to give the rider the correct feeling. In the past, Honda [riders] complained about ‘floating’ and rear grip problems every time. I think we now understand how to solve it. 

“Every test, we bring something to improve this feeling, and now we have reached a very good level. Still, the rear grip is always a problem for us, but much less compared to last year and the beginning of this season. The 2026 bike is already better in this area.”

Honda has scored 89 constructors’ points in the last six rounds alone, having managed just 75 in the entire 2024 season.

Marini explained that the RC213V has improved in “every area” since the start of the season, which makes him optimistic that Honda can challenge for victories regularly in 2026 if it continues on its current trajectory.

“It’s difficult to say how much [we have improved],” he said. “Also the riders, me and Joan, we are improving together with the bike. 

“So the bike made a step, for sure, but it is not one thing in particular that gave us five tenths. We worked on every detail, worked in every area, and this allowed us to improve our riding every time, enter fast and turn better. 

“We are improving together with the bike, and this is fantastic for me and Joan. Now we are in very good shape.

“I think we can keep this performance 'til the end of the season. It will be important to start from this point again next season and keep working to be a victory contender at every race. This will be the target for next season, but we need to work well this season.”

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