Johann Zarco shares what Aleix Espargaro is not ‘allowed’ to say after 2025 Honda MotoGP test

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Aleix Espargaro has joined Honda as a test driver after retiring from full-time MotoGP racing. And he’s already set to work on the team’s 2025 bike.

Espargaro announced back in May 2024 that he’d be leaving Aprilia, and the MotoGP grid, at the end of the season. But he remains active within the sport.

He tested the Honda bike for the first time in the post-season event in Barcelona in November. LCR’s Johann Zarco says Espargaro hasn’t tried the 2024 machinery, instead focusing entirely on its successor.

Joan Mir is excited to work with Espargaro, whose experience could be a vital asset. He started over 250 races in the premier class, winning three times and scoring 11 podiums.

He’ll be working with Stefan Bradl and Takaaki Nakagami behind the scenes. Nakagami has been testing in Malaysia ahead of the official pre-season event at the start of next month.

Honda are looking to recover from a desperate 2024 season. Their two teams propped up the standings, which left them bottom of the constructors’ behind Yamaha.

Aleix Espargaro must stay silent on Honda bike performance, Johann Zarco says

Previously, Zarco said Honda had regressed with their 2025 bike, an alarming claim given their results. Fortunately, they still have time to develop.

In an interview with Paddock GP, the Frenchman was asked whether he could share Espargaro’s thoughts ‘on the microphone’. But he clarified that Honda are keeping the details private.

The pre-season shakedown will begin at the end of the month and run until 2 February. The official Sepang test follows three days later, allowing observers to draw their first conclusions over the performance of the bikes.

Zarco said: “No [I can’t talk about Espargaro’s feedback], because he is not allowed to speak, so it is better not to transmit.”

Marco Melandri claims Honda riders are ‘in crisis’ ahead of 2025 MotoGP season

As well as Zarco, Honda’s factory riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini will be in close contact with Nakagami and Espargaro. They’re looking to, at the very least, win the internal battle this time.

Zarco is aiming to remain Honda’s number one rider in the championship. This will secure his future and, in turn, raise doubts over the factory duo.

Marco Melandri says Mir and Marini are ‘in crisis’ ahead of the new season. They combined for just 35 points last year and Melandri doubts whether they can propel the team up the grid.

Long-term, Honda are eyeing Pedro Acosta. KTM’s financial crisis could put the coveted rookie on the rider market ahead of the 2027 regulation changes.