Marini: Honda 2026 MotoGP bike is already better than the 2025 version

Factory Honda MotoGP Rider Luca Marini says development of next year’s RC213V is progressing strongly and is already better than the current prototype.

The Japanese brand is enjoying its best season in MotoGP since 2021, taking a win and two other podiums in the first 18 rounds of the 2025 campaign.

While Zarco’s Le Mans win and second place at Silverstone have given the factory a much-needed morale boost, it is the updated bike introduced after the summer break that has lifted its spirit.

Equipped with a new chassis, swingarm and improved aero, joan meer He secured his first podium as a Honda rider by finishing third at the Japanese Grand Prix, while Marini looked set to repeat that result in Indonesia last weekend until a collision with Raul Fernandez forced him down the order.

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

Asked for his thoughts on the 2026 Honda, which will be the last 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 definitely try again in the Valencia test, but I think it is better than the bike we have now.”

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

“(It’s better) to get into the details, especially because there are so many possibilities there,” he said. “The (existing) bike is not working properly to give the right feeling to the rider. In the past, Honda (riders) complained about ‘floating’ and rear grip problems every time. I think now we have understood how to solve it.

“Each test, we bring something to improve this feeling, and now we have reached a very good level. Still, rear grip is always a problem for us, but much less than 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, compared to just 75 points 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 regularly challenge for wins in 2026 if it continues on its current trajectory.

“It’s hard to say (how much we’ve improved),” he said. “Also the riders, me and Jon, we are improving together with the bike.

“So definitely the bike took a step forward, but it’s not particularly one thing that gave us five tenths. We worked on every detail, worked on every area and that allowed us to improve our ride every time, enter faster and take turns better.

“We’re improving together with the bike, and it’s fantastic for me and Joan. We’re in a very good position now.

“I think we can maintain this performance until the end of the season. It will be important to start from this point again next season and work to become a contender for victory in every race. That will be the target for next season, but we need to do a good job this season.”

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– Motorsport.com Team