Honda have now decided what they’ll do with ‘well-liked’ Luca Marini if they sign Pedro Acosta

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Honda are intent on making a blockbuster signing to accelerate their MotoGP resurgence. Having finished bottom of the constructors’ last year, they now lead the pack behind Ducati.

Honda could pay £4.3m to buy Pedro Acosta out of his KTM contract, which runs until the end of next year. Acosta is reportedly running out of patience with the Austrian manufacturer, and Honda’s financial clout could overwhelm rival suitors VR46.

There are also links with two-time World Superbikes champion Toprak Razgatlioglu. Honda could bring Razgatlioglu to MotoGP in 2027 after a year with their sister team.

Luca Marini is clearly most likely to be the casualty if either of these moves come off. Marini’s Honda contract expires at the end of 2025, whereas teammate Joan Mir has the protection of another year.

Formerly a runner-up in Moto2, Marini graduated to the premier class with Ducati satellite VR46 – the team owned by his half-brother Valentino Rossi. He then joined Honda for 2024 as a replacement for Marc Marquez.

Honda plot LCR demotion for Luca Marini if they acquire Pedro Acosta

According to The Race, Honda don’t plan to drop Marini entirely if Acosta or Razgatlioglu join. Instead, they’re likely to demote him to LCR.

They’re ‘very keen’ to retain his ‘development nous’, even if they know he doesn’t have the same ceiling as their top targets. Marini is ‘well-liked’ by Alberto Puig, who believes his feedback has been key to improving the RC213V.

Honda are aware that these talents will be particularly valuable in the lead-up to the 2027 regulation changes. That’s their biggest opportunity to get back to the front.

The natural question is, who will make way if Marini drops down? Johann Zarco has been the brand’s standout rider this season, but will turn 35 later this year.

Rookie Somkiat Chantra has struggled – he’s the lowest-ranking full-time rider in the championship – but there may be a desire to give him more time. Chantra also brings commercial backing.

Luca Marini hardly ever crashes – but is that really a good thing?

Marini has made a decent start to the season, with his 26 points good enough for a top-10 berth in the championship. The problem is that he, like Mir, has been outshone by Zarco.

Neil Hodgson says Marini couldn’t complain about a demotion on the basis of his performances. With full factory support, it wouldn’t necessarily make a major difference to his prospects, but it would damage his reputation.

Marini had the fewest crashes of any rider in 2024, but some may suggest that he’s not pushing hard enough. Indeed, six-time champion Marquez was second in the leaderboard, and Acosta was second.

Marini contends that his height works to his advantage, allowing him to counterbalance a slide more effectively. But he may need to take more risks to score a headline result.