Alberto Puig says he wasn’t ‘involved’ in Honda’s decision to give one MotoGP rider a new contract

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Honda came into the 2025 MotoGP season with three riders out of contract. Two of them will stay put for next year, with Somkiat Chantra let go.

No manufacturer had more decisions to make this year. It took until the end of August before there was some movement, with Johann Zarco signing a new deal at LCR.

Almost immediately after, it was announced that Luca Marini would continue at the factory team next to Joan Mir.

The final seat went to Diogo Moreira, the Moto2 championship leader. Chantra has been relocated to the Honda World Superbikes team after an underwhelming rookie season.

Alberto Puig says Johann Zarco’s contract extension was ‘handled directly from Japan’

While Marini only signed a one-year deal, Zarco has been renewed for a further two years. This is somewhat surprising, putting him out of step with the rest of the MotoGP rider market.

Zarco is also the oldest rider on the grid and will be 37 by the time his new deal ends. In an interview with Motorsport Espana, HRC boss Alberto Puig claimed he wasn’t ‘involved’ in that decision.

Instead, it was Honda’s Japanese management who took control of the process.

“I can’t give you an answer on that because I wasn’t involved in the operation,” he said when asked why Zarco had been renewed for two years. “It was handled directly from Japan. I was not part of it.

Pressed on whether the decision reduces Honda’s ‘flexibility’, he replied: “Again, I can’t help you on this matter because I didn’t participate in those negotiations or his signing. If you want more information, you’ll have to speak directly with those who handled it.”

Zarco was sixth in the standings when he won the French GP in May, but has now slipped outside the top 10. He fell behind the factory riders in terms of parts, but has been promised equal equipment under his new deal.

Honda already know their dream MotoGP line-up for 2027

Despite a couple of recent podiums for Joan Mir and a strong run of form for Luca Marini, Zarco remains Honda’s top rider in the standings. But the Frenchman is unlikely to figure in the factory equation for 2027.

Moreira could race for Honda in 2027 if he impresses as a rookie. This path to the official team was one of the main reasons he chose to join.

But Honda are dreaming of Pedro Acosta, who is weighing up his options after expressing frustration with KTM.

What’s more, they haven’t given up on Jorge Martin after the 2024 world champion was forced to stay at Aprilia for next year. A star-studded, all-Spanish line-up may be their Plan A.