Lucio Cecchinello makes ‘big’ admission about Honda placing Somkiat Chantra at LCR

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Somkiat Chantra is one of three rookies who features on the 2025 MotoGP grid. He’ll partner the experienced Johann Zarco at the LCR team.

Chantra is joined by former teammate Ai Ogura, who secured a seat with Trackhouse after winning the Moto2 title. Fermin Aldeguer, who finished fifth in the series, faces the daunting task of replacing Marc Marquez at Gresini.

Of the three, Chantra arguably has the most to prove. He finished a rather underwhelming 12th in the standings, so many riders in the field will feel they were more deserving of a promotion.

The first full-time Thai rider in MotoGP, he failed to score a single podium last season. In fact, he only finished in the top six five times in 18 races.

Overall, he’s collected just two wins in 105 starts in the intermediate class. His tallies of two poles and six podiums don’t necessarily catch the eye either.

But Honda have control over the second seat at satellite squad LCR. And they clearly feel the 25-year-old hasn’t shown his full potential just yet.

Lucio Cecchinello accepts LCR have a ‘challenge’ on their hands with Somkiat Chantra

Speaking to Motorsport-Total, LCR team owner Lucio Cecchinello defended Chantra. He feels he has the raw speed and ‘competitive spirit’ to succeed at MotoGP level.

He admits that he’s not yet as good as Ogura, who seemed set to be a Honda rider for the long term. He shocked the manufacturer by pursuing a more competitive bike at the Aprilia-linked Trackhouse team.

Cecchinello admits that Honda have handed LCR a significant challenge. But he insists the team are optimistic about their new rider’s chances.

“It’s clear to me that he has the necessary speed,” he said. “A rider who has made it to the podium several times is fast. He has a strong competitive spirit. I would say he is a great talent.

“But maybe he still needs to improve a few areas to reach the level of his former teammate Ai Ogura. It’s a great challenge for us. We want to bring him to a high level in MotoGP.

“The challenge that Honda has set us is big. But we want to face this challenge with full determination.”

The worrying noises coming out Honda before the 2025 MotoGP season

Aleix Espargaro isn’t ‘allowed’ to discuss Honda’s 2025 bike in public. The retired Spaniard has joined the team as a test rider.

It’s natural for a team to be secretive about their new machinery at this time year. But Zarco’s comments may be telling.

Honda were the slowest team in MotoGP last year, finishing last in the constructors’ behind Yamaha. The factory squad propped up the teams’ standings with LCR 10th.

And as it stands, Zarco says Honda’s new bike is even worse than its predecessor. There’s still plenty of time and testing to go before the Thailand Grand Prix on 2 March, but there could be more pain ahead.