Why Honda’s lap times in private MotoGP test are worrying for Joan Mir and Luca Marini

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Honda will be one of the teams allowed to run their race riders in the upcoming MotoGP shakedown at Sepang. The first collective test of 2025 is pencilled for 31 January – 2 February.

All five MotoGP manufacturers will remain in the same concession classes for 2025. Honda and their Japanese rivals Yamaha occupy the lowest band (D).

The former finished bottom of the standings in 2024, with the latter only one place ahead. The concessions system is designed to make them more competitive, thus improving the spectacle in the premier class.

That means Joan Mir and Luca Marini will be able to test the 2025 bike once again at the home of the Malaysian GP. They had the chance to sample it at the post-season test in Barcelona back in November.

But as noted by Australian Motorcycle News, Honda have also conducted a private test at Jerez. The famous circuit will play host to the Spanish GP in April.

Each time the Honda riders climb onto the bike at this time of year, the feeling will be different. There will be new developments to review, and set-up experiments to conduct.

Aleix Espargaro outpaced Joan Mir and Luca Marini in Honda test at Jerez

Honda factory riders Mir and Marini were joined at Jerez by LCR’s Johann Zarco, who was the company’s highest-placed finisher last year. Zarco scored 55 points, 34 more than next-best Mir.

Also in attendance was Aleix Espargaro, who’s joined from Aprilia as part of the test team. ‘It’s believed’ that the Spaniard was the fastest of the quartet.

On one level, this is impressive. He’s not used to the Honda bike, and he’s only recently announced his retirement from full-time racing.

Equally, though, it doesn’t bode well for either Mir or Marini. Losing out to an ageing new hire in Espargaro would suggest they’re not especially comfortable on the new bike.

Honda are trying to establish their ‘development direction’ for the season ahead. They didn’t disclose ‘too many details’ about the test, but they apparently trialled a new chassis.

The moment Aleix Espargaro knew he’d have to retire from MotoGP

Honda have signed a new technical director for 2025 in the form of Romano Albesiano. It’s the first time a non-European has filled that position.

Test rider Stefan Bradl says Honda have sent a ‘clear message’ by hiring Albesiano and embracing a new way of working. He will be guided by the feedback of Mir and Marini as he starts to exert his influence in the coming months.

But importantly, he’ll also reunite with his old Aprilia colleague. Espargaro knew he’d reached the ‘end’ in MotoGP when he crashed in the Jerez Sprint, and he announced that he’d step back soon after.