Honda have just cleared a key hurdle to signing Johann Zarco’s new 2026 LCR MotoGP teammate

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Just two bikes remain available on the 2026 MotoGP grid after Honda confirmed new factory contracts for their works team rider, Luca Marini, and LCR pilot, Johann Zarco.

Honda began the week of the 2025 Catalan Grand Prix by confirming on Monday that Marini will stay in their factory line-up in the 2026 MotoGP season. The Japanese crew also handed Zarco a two-year works contract to continue riding for their satellite team LCR through 2027.

VR46 even followed Honda by confirming a new contract for Franco Morbidelli this Tuesday, with the Italian staying at Valentino Rossi’s crew for another year. Now, only one spot at LCR and one bike at Pramac Yamaha are available among the 22 bikes on the 2026 MotoGP grid.

Honda will give Zarco full factory support at LCR in 2026, including the 35-year-old getting updates at the same time as works team riders, Joan Mir and Marini. The Frenchman is also now the only Honda rider under contract beyond 2026 and into the 2027 850cc regulations.

Castrol steps up to replace Idemitsu’s backing to let Honda sign Diogo Moreira for LCR

Yet it might not be long before Honda add another rider to the 2026 LCR line-up and to their roster beyond 2026. The Race reports that Honda are primed to beat Yamaha to the signing of Moto2 rider Diogo Moreira, who will replace Somkiat Chantra at LCR for the 2026 season.

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

Honda have also cleared a key hurdle to signing Moreira for LCR, as the Tokyo brand secured ‘expanded’ backing from their title sponsor Castrol to support all four of their bikes in 2026. Castrol’s increased backing removes Honda’s need for Idemitsu to fund the other LCR bike.

Castrol joined Honda to be their title sponsor in 2025, after the Japanese team parted with Spanish petroleum company Repsol after 29 years. The British automotive lubricants brand has also sponsored one side of the LCR garage since 2018 after they expanded to two bikes.

Like Castrol, Japanese petroleum brand Idemitsu has sponsored one side of the LCR garage since 2018 to help Honda fund a place on the grid for an Asian rider. Takaaki Nakagami was the first LCR Honda Idemitsu rider in 2018, and he also stayed until Chantra joined in 2025.

Honda are waiting for Somkiat Chantra’s injury return before confirming Diogo Moreira

It has been on the cards since July that Honda could break their agreement with Idemitsu to place a non-Asian rider at LCR in 2026, with Moreira also emerging as a leading contender to replace Chantra from an early stage following the latter’s underwhelming displays this term.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Somkiat Chantra from career to height

Chantra has failed to impress Honda since replacing Nakagami for LCR, with the 26-year-old only securing one point from his first nine MotoGP starts. Test rider Aleix Espargaro handed Chantra his sole premier class point so far when he let him through for P15 in the Dutch GP.

The Dutch GP at the TT Circuit Assen also remains Chantra’s last appearance after suffering a torn collateral ligament in his right knee while training on a motocross in July. But Honda do not want to announce Moreira while Chantra is injured, which has delayed his confirmation.

It is only a matter of time before Chantra is shuffled aside, however, after Honda gazumped Yamaha’s offer to reach an agreement with Moreira. Castrol stepping up to replace Idemitsu has also removed what is likely the final hurdle between Moreira and being a MotoGP rider.