Luca Marini is assured that Honda’s 2026 MotoGP prototype is already “higher than the present bike”.
After Johann Zarco’s early moist win at Silverstone and the Frenchman’s podium, Honda’s outcomes slumped in the midst of the season.
Nonetheless, updates to the chassis, swingarm, engine and aero have made the RCV a daily contender for the highest six for the reason that summer season break.
Marini and teammate Joan Mir achieved Honda’s finest leads to current rounds, with the Italian ending fourth within the Balaton Dash and Mirni ending on the rostrum at Motegi.
“The engine is at all times essentially the most troublesome a part of the bike.”
The Honda vehicles additionally had spectacular straight-line efficiency, with Mir setting the weekend’s prime velocity report on the final Indonesian GP.
“Energy!” Marini mentioned when requested concerning the newest Honda engines. “They did an excellent job.
“Total efficiency has improved, nevertheless it labored very well, particularly since engine enhancements are at all times essentially the most troublesome a part of a motorbike, in my view.”
That is as a result of if you enhance one a part of an engine’s efficiency or traits, you normally lose others.
“They did loads higher this time…all else being the identical, they carried out slightly bit higher.”
Luca Marini, HRC, carbon fiber swingarm
The carbon fiber swingarm, however, is much less outlined, with Marini switched entrance and rear.
“Aluminum is best in some areas like fuel rise, stand-up and drive space, however slightly worse on (nook) entry,” he mentioned.
Nonetheless, Italians favor composites when there may be little distinction in total efficiency.
“We went with carbon as a result of it’s lighter. Weight makes a giant distinction. We at all times attempt to make bikes very gentle…
“I am slightly taller and heavier than the opposite riders, so it is actually vital for us when it comes to tire and braking energy administration.”
Marini began the Indonesian MotoGP weekend quickest in FP1 and completed fifth within the Grand Prix within the midst of a intently contested podium battle.
Luca Marini
2026 Honda “Already higher than present bikes”
Honda is now seeking to carry its late-season momentum into 2026, with subsequent yr’s machine already present process testing with race riders.
“Subsequent yr’s bike will likely be even higher,” Marini declared. “We develop every time with new concepts and a few updates.
“We’ll strive it once more on the Valencia take a look at, however I believe it’s already higher than the present bike.”
One space the place Honda is aiming to turn out to be a daily on the rostrum is by getting extra vitality from the tires throughout time assaults, permitting them to start out increased up the grid.
“We have to discover a higher approach to get extra grip out of the rear tire and make higher use of it, as a result of in the mean time that is the largest downside that may come up whereas driving,” defined Marini.
Marini begins the ultimate 4 rounds of the season in thirteenth place on the earth championship, however is inside 20 factors of LCR’s Johann Zarco (tenth place), with 31 factors over the past 9 rounds, 70 factors forward of the Frenchman.
Mir, ranked fifteenth total, scored 45 factors in the identical interval.
