Honda have shown signs of clear progression at the start of the 2025 MotoGP season and are now in a position to assess making additions to their team.
Their factory lineup of Joan Mir and Luca Marini have been inconsistent to start the campaign, while their satellite team LCR have been able to churn out some impressive results.
It has all been down to Johann Zarco, who was laps away from being able to say that he has finished in the top eight three times in a row to start 2025 at the Grand Prix of the Americas.
Honda may need a new rider for 2026, with Marini’s contract expiring in just 19 races. They need an able replacement.
Marini responded to suggestions he ‘wasn’t trying’ by attributing his lack of MotoGP crashes to his height.
Teammate Mir laughed at Marini’s Honda comments when the Italian suggested that their team have the best electronics in the sport. He is convinced by their progress.
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Honda should sign Johann Zarco over Pedro Acosta to replace Luca Marini in 2026
Marini has been steady to start the season, but he could have achieved a bit more and extracted more pace from his bike.
Finishes of 12th, 10th and eighth show that he is good at being consistent. The only issue is that his fellow Honda riders have been comfortably inside the top 10 at every event.
With Pedro Acosta on the market soon – one of the hottest prospects around, Honda could make a move for their next Marc Marquez, but they could be better off with another option.
Why not promote Zarco from the LCR team? A rider who knows their bike well, has been there to develop it, and is consistently churning results. He won’t come too expensive either.
The only problem which may arise is that the 34-year-old isn’t exactly a long-term solution for the Japanese manufacturer, but they may decide to switch things up for the new regulations in 2027 anyway.
Johann Zarco eyes MotoGP ‘opportunities’ with Honda in the future
After failing to finish higher than eighth in 20 races last year, 2025 has been a dream start for Zarco and LCR.
He was laps away from extending that run in COTA before he fell off his bike, with three consecutive top-seven finishes on the cards.
The pace he has shown nonetheless has been promising enough for him to eye a promotion soon. He knows that he is in good form.
“The results give me credibility in Honda,” he told Motorsport Italia. “The goal remains to create a bond, as strong as possible, to remain the main rider of Honda, perhaps then opening up opportunities as an official rider.”
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