Honda in talks to sign ‘crazy’ rider to MotoGP contract amid Luca Marini and Johann Zarco uncertainty

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LCR ace Johann Zarco has started the 2025 MotoGP season as the top-ranked Honda rider but faces an uncertain future with his contract expiring at the end of this term.

Honda have big decisions to make over most of their stable, too, with factory rider Joan Mir their only pilot tied down for 2026. Fellow works racer Luca Marini plus LCR rookie Somkiat Chantra are also set to see their factory Honda contracts end after the 2025 term like Zarco.

Zarco has got the most out of Honda’s 2025 bike so far this term over the opening rounds in Thailand and Argentina. The 34-year-old claimed seventh and sixth-place finishes, plus P4 in the Sprint at Termas, to sit fifth in the riders’ standings as the top non-Ducati on 25 points.

Mir and Marini rank 11th and 12th in the riders’ championship after the opening two meets, whilst Chantra sits in only 21st place as one of two pilots yet to score a single point. Mir and Marini have both scored 10 points to help Honda rank second in the constructors’ standings.

Honda are in talks with Toprak Razgatlioglu about a MotoGP contract

Yet despite Zarco’s form with LCR so far this year, Honda are looking outside of MotoGP for their next star rider with the Japanese outfit holding talks with World Superbikes superstar Toprak Razgatlioglu. Honda even have an RC213V ready for Razgatlioglu to move to MotoGP.

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

That is according to Moto Sprint, which reports that Honda and Razgatlioglu are ‘courting each other’ as the 28-year-old considers leaving the World SBK paddock for MotoGP. The pair are also in talks regarding a potential two-year base contract with two optional years.

Honda’s progress with the RC213V so far this term, plus the generous salary the Japanese outfit would be expected to offer Razgatlioglu, is tempting the Turkish ace to consider the switch. Honda are also considering the move given just Mir has a contract for next season.

Honda must show Toprak Razgatlioglu they can produce a title-winning bike again

Marini and Zarco’s expiring contracts plus Chantra’s slow start to his MotoGP career at LCR may pave the way for Razgatlioglu to join the Honda stable. He would also take on the task of guiding Honda back to the top as they search for a first title since Marc Marquez in 2019.

Rumours touting Razgatlioglu with a move from World SBK to MotoGP are nothing new. But Honda could convince the Alanya native to agree to move if they continue to make progress with the RC213V and show Razgatlioglu they are ready for the switch to 850cc bikes in 2027.

Razgatlioglu is one of, if not the very best riders in the World Superbikes field as a two-time champion. MotoGP icon Andrea Dovizioso hailed Razgatlioglu’s ‘crazy’ 2024 World SBK title, too, after the BMW rider produced ‘something special’ to win after switching from Yamaha.

His success in the World Superbikes field has so far ensured Razgatlioglu has not yet made a move to MotoGP as he will not accept anything but a competitive bike, setting the challenge for Honda as last year’s worst constructor if they are to tempt him to join the Japanese crew.