Four-win team boss reveals LCR Honda ‘option’ for 2027 MotoGP engine collaboration

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Honda have made a partial MotoGP resurgence so far in 2025 and have been one of the surprises of the season so far.

At the Grand Prix of Thailand, they nearly opened their account for the year by having two cars in the top 10.

Sadly, Joan Mir let his team down but Johann Zarco stood strong and delivered a seventh-place. It was the Frenchman’s best result since 2023.

It’s clear Honda have made progress, but until the second race of the campaign, it’s a bit unclear whether they have the slowest bike still.

The LCR Team will be delighted that they can contend for top 10 finishes in MotoGP this year, after suffering at the back for much of the current decade.

Zarco still thinks Honda has a ‘disadvantage’ after Thailand where they were affected by intense heat. They shouldn’t be faced with such an extreme scenario again in 2025.

READ MORE: The ‘huge’ reason Johann Zarco rejected Ducati satellite deal in favour of LCR Honda MotoGP team

Lucio Cecchinello reveals LCR Team option with Honda for 2027 partnership

The LCR team face a small challenge this year after hiring Somkiat Chantra to be one of their riders – a rookie who may need some track time to get up to speed.

LCR were surprised by Chantra in a Buriram test last month before he made his official race debut three weeks later.

He was dependable in Thailand, but didn’t show any mind-boggling pace. He finished 18th, the slowest of all unaffected runners.

It’s an investment in the future though, and with the 2027 regulations around the corner where the bikes will go from being 1000cc to 850cc, it’s wise to give him some prior experience if they intend to keep hold of him.

Team boss Lucio Cecchinello has admitted that if they would like to, they can continue their current partnership with Honda beyond the end of the 2026 season.

“We have an option with Honda for a collaboration for 2027,” he told GPOne.

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

What can LCR Honda expect to achieve during the 2025 MotoGP season?

Zarco has nearly managed 20% of his points tally from 2024 within one race. It’s a good omen for him and the team, who have been patiently waiting for a turnaround.

The concession system means that Honda and Yamaha are exempt from a two-year engine freeze which halts engine development for their European rivals.

It offers a chance for in-season development and a catch up if they are willing to invest heavily and bring upgrades.

Continuing to work on the chassis while bringing developments should only bring them further into contention. They could be contenders for the top 10 at every race this year.

Just maybe on a crazy day, they could secure a podium for Honda – their first since Alex Rins’ victory at the 2023 Grand Prix of Americas.