Under-pressure MotoGP rider must take ‘more risks’ to earn 2026 contract according to Neil Hodgson

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Five riders are fighting for their futures on the MotoGP grid with their contracts set to expire, while also facing the potential threat of Toprak Razgatlioglu taking over a seat.

The MotoGP rider market has already seen a raft of activity this term, despite the Grand Prix of Spain only being the fifth round of the year. Razgatlioglu being out of contract for BMW in World Superbikes has helped to cause the bustle with a move to MotoGP possibly finally on.

Honda and Yamaha are engaged in a potential tussle to tempt the two-time WSBK champion from the production bike class. Both teams have possible openings in their stables with Luca Marini at Honda and Jack Miller at Pramac due to see their factory contracts expire this year.

Miller’s Pramac Yamaha future could decide Toprak’s move to MotoGP as he sees the ride as the Turkish rider’s best avenue to switch categories next season. Yet Marini might not be out of the woods as Honda are interested in hiring KTM rider Pedro Acosta for next year, as well.

Neil Hodgson urges Luca Marini to take ‘more risks’ to earn a Honda contract for the 2026 season

Honda plan to demote Marini to LCR if they sign Acosta as the Japanese brand ideally do not want to let the Italian leave their stable even if not given a factory seat next season. LCR also have a possible opening, with rookie Somkiat Chantra just on a one-year works deal in 2025.

So, Neil Hodgson feels Marini must start to take ‘more risks’ this year if he wants to remain in the factory Honda garage in at least the 2026 MotoGP season. If not, the 2003 Superbikes champion fears Honda could start to question if Marini is able to produce what they require.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Luca Marini from his net worth to half brother

Hodgson told TNT Sports 2 (26/4, 09:57): “Now is the time, if you’re Luca Marini, that you have to start taking a bit more risks. His way of approaching it has been to bring the bike home [and] give the information, which he’s been doing very well. But it gets to a point where the factory team expects results.”

Luca Marini has only been Honda’s fastest rider in qualifying once to start the 2025 season

Marini is potentially the MotoGP rider under the most pressure to retain his current seat for the 2026 season, with Razgatlioglu and Acosta not the only options Honda have to consider. Johann Zarco is also potentially a threat to Marini, given his efforts on the RC213V with LCR.

Joan Mir is the only Honda rider under contract for next term, but Zarco arrived at Jerez for the start of the European leg of the 2025 season as the top Honda in the championship. He scored 38 points during the first four rounds to pip Marini (26), Mir (10) and Chantra (zero).

Also, Honda are now giving Zarco ‘first rider’ treatment, with new technical director Romano Albesiano taking a keen interest in the 34-year-old’s efforts at LCR. So, Marini might need to take Hodgson’s advice on board if he wants to fend off the challenges for his bike at Honda.

Albesiano will even have seen Zarco and Mir out-qualify Marini again at the Spanish GP this weekend. While the Frenchman and Spaniard took P9 and P10 after reaching Q2, Marini did not get out of Q1 and he was even only 0.251 seconds faster than test rider Aleix Espargaro.

Mir would also be the only Honda rider to score a point in the Sprint Race at the Spanish GP on Saturday afternoon. The Palma native finished the Sprint at his home round in P9, whilst Marini would only get P13, Espargaro P18 and Chantra last amongst the classified finishers.

Zarco crashed out of the Sprint Race at the Spanish GP whilst running in 12th place on Lap 6 of 12. The Frenchman was even the only pilot amongst a field of 23 riders to fit the medium rear Michelin tyre – which is expected to be favoured in the Grand Prix – instead of the soft.