Luca Marini gets new Honda MotoGP deal for 2026
Marini will stay at Honda for a third season in 2026
Luca Marini has signed a new contract with Honda’s MotoGP factory team, staying onboard alongside Joan Mir until the end of the current regulations cycle, Motorsport.com has learned.
Having made his MotoGP debut in 2021, starting with three seasons at VR46 Ducati, Marini joined HRC last year, profiting from Marc Marquez’ decision to split with Honda before the final year of his contract.
Since then, Marini’s best result has been sixth at the Sachsenring earlier this month, which followed a three-round absence after he injured himself in a test ahead of the Suzuka 8 Hours.
Halfway through the 2025 season, Valentino Rossi’s half-brother is 15th in the standings – the second-best Honda rider, leading team-mate Mir with 52 points to 32.
After finishing 12th in Brno on Sunday, asked if he hoped to get a clearer idea of his future by the end of the summer break, Marini said: “That has never been my goal, because I think we have always understood each other.” Motorsport.com understands that he already knew he was going to stay with Honda.
Joan Mir, Honda HRC, Luca Marini, Honda HRC
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images
This was the expected outcome after Honda failed to extract Jorge Martin from his Aprilia contract for 2026. Motorsport.com understands the reigning world champion remains HRC’s main target for 2027, when new technical regulations are introduced.
With its factory team pairing now signed, Honda is working for Johann Zarco to keep spearheading its satellite LCR project, while Somkiat Chantra has every chance of leaving Lucio Cecchinello's team after a disappointing first half of the season.
Due to the huge speed differential between Chantra and other Honda riders, the brand’s engineers cannot use the data from its Thai rider, which is deemed unacceptable at a time when Honda is trying to reduce the margin that separates it from Ducati.
The lack of competitive Asian candidates has caused Honda to rethink its commitment to Idemitsu, the main sponsor of that LCR bike, to sign a rider from that continent.
Photos from Czech GP - Race
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
2025 Czech GP - Sunday
Share Or Save This Story
Alex Marquez still involved in Ducati’s MotoGP development despite KTM move
Yamaha signs Ai Ogura for 2027 MotoGP season in factory team shake-up
The reason MotoGP teams are withholding their 2027 rider announcements
Honda’s MotoGP bike feels “naturally fast” but still can’t deliver results
Senior Honda MotoGP executive exits as HRC restructure continues
Joan Mir fears early silly season could leave MotoGP riders regretting their decisions
What the concessions system will look like in MotoGP's new era
Aleix Espargaro to undergo surgery after vertebral injury
Aleix Espargaro hospitalised after crash in Sepang MotoGP test
Felix Rosenqvist beats Pato O’Ward to Long Beach IndyCar pole
NASCAR red flags race as Carson Kvapil flips wildly in violent Kansas crash
Acura wins Long Beach IMSA race for first time since 2009
NASCAR Cup Kansas starting lineup: Tyler Reddick beats Denny Hamlin to pole
Did MotoGP make its Brazil return too soon?
Where MotoGP’s penalty system still lacks clarity
Five things we learned at the MotoGP Thai GP
Five MotoGP riders who need a big 2026 season
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments