Luca Marini gets new Honda MotoGP deal for 2026
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
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.
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Aprilia 'feels like home' despite contract standoff, says Jorge Martin
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
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
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Aprilia Racing Team garage
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Alex Marquez, Gresini Racing
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Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
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Pol Espargaro, Red Bull KTM Tech3
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Ducati Team bike detail
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Marc Marquez, Ducati Team, Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
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Fabio Di Giannantonio, VR46 Racing Team
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Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team
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Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3
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VR46 Racing Team bike detail
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Luca Marini, Honda HRC
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Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team
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Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
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Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
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Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing
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Augusto Fernandez, Yamaha Factory Racing
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Aprilia Racing Team bike detail
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Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team
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Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
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Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
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Pol Espargaro, Red Bull KTM Tech3
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Aprilia Racing Team bike detail
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Johann Zarco, Team LCR
Team LCR
Pol Espargaro, Red Bull KTM Tech3
Tech 3
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
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Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
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Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
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Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
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Marc Marquez, Ducati Team, Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Dorna
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
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Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
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Johann Zarco, Team LCR
Team LCR
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3
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Jack Miller, Pramac Racing
Pramac Racing
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
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Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
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Johann Zarco, Team LCR
Team LCR
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
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Track action
Pramac Racing
Johann Zarco, Team LCR Honda
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Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
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Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Ducati Corse
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
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Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing Team
Dorna
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
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Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing Team
Aprilia Racing
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Ducati Corse
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing Team
Aprilia Racing
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Michal Cizek / AFP via Getty Images
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
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Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing
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Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
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Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Dorna
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
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Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team
Aprilia Racing
Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
Michal Cizek / AFP via Getty Images
Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing, Marc Marquez, Ducati Team
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