Luca Marini believes Honda is making significant progress but sees one area with “great potential” for improvement ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season.
After a long drought, Honda returned to the top step at Le Mans this season, with Johann Zarco delivering the Japanese marque’s first win since 2023.
Marini endured a nightmare 2024 season, finishing at the bottom of the standings, but has since highlighted Honda’s steady improvements with points finishes at every round but Motegi.
The Italian predicts further improvement in 2026, but notes one key area where Honda continues to struggle.
“We’ve already reached a very high level. Rear grip is always a problem for us, but it’s significantly better than last year and at the beginning of the season,” Marini shared to Speedweek.
“The 2026 bike is already a step forward in this regard. I wanted us to focus intensively on the details of the rear end. I see great potential there.
“The bike isn’t working correctly yet and doesn’t give the riders the right feeling.
“I was able to improve together with Joan (Mir). Of course, the bike has also improved. But it wasn’t like we found five-tenths of a second in one fell swoop.”
Marini matched his best Honda result of fifth place in Indonesia and has finished inside the top eight in four of the last five Grand Prix weekends.
Despite his only retirement coming at Motegi, Marini saw team-mate Joan Mir secure a well-deserved podium, further highlighting Honda’s improvements.
The 28-year-old believes the RC213V will only improve in 2026, stating that he expects Honda to compete at the sharp end in every race once again.
“We’ve worked on every detail and in every area. This has allowed us to ride better,” he stated.
“We’re better on the brakes, we’re turning faster, we’re steering quicker, and we’re straightening the bike more easily.
“We’re improving along with the bike. Joan and I are in very good shape and hope to maintain that by the end of the season,” explained Marini.
“It’s important that this is our starting point for the coming season and that we can fight for victories in every race. That’s the goal for the coming season. We have to work hard in the winter.”
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