Sylvain Guintoli spots change in ‘everybody’ at Honda after ‘unreal’ start to 2025 MotoGP season

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Honda have made a huge stride forward at the start of the 2025 MotoGP season. It is a sharp contrast to their miserable 2024 campaign.

The Japanese manufacturer have regressed dramatically in recent years. After enjoying incredible success with Marc Marquez in the 2010s, Honda have struggled to compete since the Spaniard returned from his lengthy injury.

Last season was a particularly low point as they finished bottom of the constructors’ championship with just 75 points. Johann Zarco was the only Honda rider to finish in the top 10 of a race – but he only did it twice in Indonesia and Thailand.

Factory riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini could only manage 21 and 14 points respectively. Honda were desperate to find some performance in 2025 and were keen to use the concession system to their advantage.

After pre-season testing, Honda staff had to control themselves about their progress – they had clearly made improvements but did not want to give it away. However, after their start to the season, their optimism is shining through.

Sylvain Guintoli spots how ‘everybody’ at Honda is smiling in the pits after ‘unreal’ 2025 start

After Buriram and Termas de Rio Hondo, Honda find themselves second behind Ducati heading into the Grand Prix of the Americas. Only Somkiat Chantra has failed to finish inside the top 10 in 2025.

Neil Hodgson lauded Zarco’s ‘incredible’ performance in Argentina as he qualified third and finished fourth in the Sprint race. The LCR rider got nowhere near the front row in 2024 as he struggled to finish consistently in the points.

Honda have continued the momentum in Austin with Mir reaching Q2 for the factory Honda team. The Spanaird even set the fastest lap of FP2 on Saturday at one stage.

Speaking on TNT Sports‘ coverage of the session, Sylvain Guintoli was amassed by the ‘unreal’ start to Honda’s season as he noticed ‘everybody’ was smiling in the pit box.

“They’re second in the manufacturers’ championship. How good is that? It’s unreal, they went from being absolutely nowhere the last two years, riders crashing for no reason while being last,” he said.

“It was a disaster and this year they’ve found confidence, everybody’s smiling inside the box and they’re competitive again. They’re not at the level of Ducati yet but they’re doing good.”

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

Could Luca Marini be out of Honda come the end of the season?

Honda are the most successful team at COTA and will be looking to score another decent points haul this weekend. Mir has a great opportunity to put his RC213V in a strong position for the race by reaching Q2.

By contrast, his factory teammate Marini has struggled for consistency. He has started the 2025 season with two points finishes but has been notably slower than Mir and Zarco.

Marini says Zarco’s riding style better suits the Honda, hence the pace advantage. But the Italian will need to find some performance soon or risk losing his seat.

Honda could sign Toprak Razgatlioglu, who are reportedly in talks over a two-year contract. Given the World Superbike sensation’s ability, he may only want a factory deal, putting Marini at risk.