Marini signs contract extension with Honda ahead of MotoGP 2026

Luca Marini will remain with Honda until the end of the current MotoGP rule cycle after signing a new one-year contract extension

As reported by Autosport in July, the factory Honda team will carry an unchanged line-up into 2026, with both Marini and Joan Mir being retained by the squad.

Mir already had a two-year deal valid until the end of next season, while Marini’s new contract extension means he is now in sync with the rest of the field.

The announcement of the Italian’s new contract was made on Monday on the eve of the Catalan Grand Prix in Barcelona.

“I am very happy to make this announcement and remain with Honda HRC,” he said. “We have just been working on a few final details, both HRC’s management and myself have been aligned on the future for quite a while.

“I am completely invested in this project and determined to help Honda return to the front in the MotoGP World Championship. 

“Since joining the team in 2024, we have continued to improve and work together in an ever-improving way. Working with a factory, and especially a factory like Honda HRC, gives you huge motivation as a rider. 

“We have had a good season so far and the focus remains to continue improving until the very last lap in Valencia.”

Marini joined HRC in 2024 after a three-year stint at VR46 Ducati, taking the place vacated by six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez.

While top-line results have been hard to come by, particularly due to the lack of competitiveness of the RC213V, he is rated highly among the top brass at Honda for his technical knowhow.

The 28-year-old also secured his best result as a Honda rider at the returning Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing fifth at the newly-built Balaton Park Circuit.

Marini’s future at Honda was sealed when Honda failed to extract reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin from his deal with Aprilia.

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

It is understood that the Japanese manufacturer is still interested in hiring the Spaniard, but it will have to wait until at least 2027 to sign him.

“We are happy to continue with Luca for another year, he has shown a high level of professionalism and dedication throughout,” said HRC General Manager Taichi Honda.

“Luca has earned himself a reputation as an analytical rider and an incredibly hard worker, a valuable asset to any MotoGP project. 

“Luca’s feedback is clear and precise and has been very useful for Honda HRC’s engineers in continuing the development of the Honda RC213V over the past season and a half.”

Zarco lands two-year LCR deal

With no immediate vacancies at HRC, Honda also confirmed that Johann Zarco will stay at LCR until the end of the 2027 season.

While there was speculation about Zarco being given a promotion following his brilliant victory in a rain-hit French Grand Prix, Honda quickly concluded that it was best for the 35-year-old to remain at LCR on factory equipment.

Johann Zarco, Team LCR Honda

Photo by: Team LCR

The Frenchman has been Honda’s standout performer since he joined the Tokyo-based marque in 2024, and is currently its best-placed rider in the standings in ninth place. Back-to-back victories at the Suzuka 8 Hours have further cemented his position within Honda.

“I’m very pleased to confirm that I will stay with LCR for the next two years,” he said. “This is important because we have big goals to achieve and great opportunities looking ahead to 2027.

“When I signed with Honda at the end of 2023, I didn’t expect to find that second wind, which gave me the energy to secure another two-year contract with them.

“We already achieved one victory with Lucio and the team, and it would be fantastic to experience that again, so we are determined to keep pushing for strong results.

“Over the past two years, Honda has provided LCR with great support, and we believe we can continue growing and developing the bike through our hard work. I’d like to thank HRC, LCR, and everybody supporting us.”

The identity of Zarco’s team-mate for 2026 is yet to be announced, but Autosport reported last month that Honda is finalising an agreement for Diogo Moreira to step up from Moto2 to replace the underperforming Somkiat Chantra.