Honda chief explains why it would be ‘useless’ to sign ‘phenomenon’ riders like Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta

Add as preferred source on Google

Honda are striving to return to the front of MotoGP after a dramatic decline in recent years.

The Japanese manufacturer enjoyed incredible success with Marc Marquez in the 2010s. Together, they won six MotoGP titles as the Spaniard produced one of the most dominant runs in the premier class’ history.

However, after Marquez recovered from a lengthy injury in 2020, Honda had fallen behind in the development race. The 32-year-old left the team in 2024 – they finished rock bottom of the constructors’ championship with 75 points.

After a dismal campaign last season, Honda are hoping to find competitiveness in 2025. With the concession system allowing more test time with their riders, Yamaha looked to have made serious improvements during pre-season – but their Japanese rivals have made it count during the season.

After two races, Honda are second behind Ducati and have found some strong performance, particularly in Argentina. While rookie Somkiat Chantra has struggled, LCR teammate Johann Zarco has been in the top 10 in both races, qualifying on the front row at Termas de Rio Hondo.

Honda HRC riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini give the manufacturer a ‘very strong’ pool of riders who have shown they can score points consistently. LCR founder Lucio Cecchinello knows there are ‘phenomenal’ riders out there, but he admits they will not perform the best with them.

Lucio Cecchinello says Honda signing ‘phenomenon’ Marc Marquez or Pedro Acosta would risk underperformance

Marquez is currently dominating MotoGP in 2025. With the factory Ducati team, he has won every race and collected maximum points in Thailand and Argentina.

Pedro Acosta is regarded as the rising star in the premier class after a mega debut season with Tech3 in 2024. The Spaniard is not enjoying a strong start to 2025 at KTM, however, amassing just 13 points thus far.

Nevertheless, Acosta has bags of potential and would ‘benefit’ Honda if he were to join the team/ But speaking on the #ZamTube YouTube channel, Cecchinello admits it would be a ‘risk’ to sign him or Marquez for a substantial fee and risk them underperforming.

“Without beating around the bush, there are riders who are very strong and then there are riders who are phenomenal,” he said.

“If we talk about phenomenon riders, we know that Marquez is a phenomenon. We know that Acosta, even if makes a lot of mistakes, is still another rider who is destined to become a phenomenon.

“And then there are very strong riders who are world champions like Mir, who are Sprint race winners or riders who get on the podium like Marini, or who have made several podiums like Zarco.

“So it is obvious Honda would benefit from a phenomenon rider like Marc Marquez. But in my opinion, they have made an assessment at this moment. It is useless that we take a phenomenon rider who costs a lot of money and then risk burning him and not doing as well as we want.

“But maybe it is better that we take a moment’s break, hold on to very strong riders with experience and fix the bike.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Honda from the MotoGP team’s riders to leadership

Honda have made a significant step forward in the first two races in 2025 compared to 2024

Honda may not have the bike currently to give Marquez or Acosta success in MotoGP. But it is clear that with their current crop of riders, they have significantly improved from where they were at this point last season.

The Japanese manufacturer were sat on eight points in the constructors’ championship after Qatar and Portugal in 2024. After Buriram and Termas this year, they have more than three times the amount of points.

Zarco has scored five times more points after two races this season than the year prior, while teammate Chantra has failed to score. Mir has gone from seven points to 10 while Marini has equalled his HRC teammate’s 2025 record after scoring zero points in Qatar and Portugal.

Neil Hodgson lauded Zarco’s ‘incredible’ performance in Argentina as he mixed with the frontrunners. A podium could very well be possible for Honda this season.

Honda had to control themselves after pre-season testing about their progression. But after two races in 2025, they have every reason to be excited.