After breaking out of MotoGP’s backside concession zone ultimately yr’s Valencia finale, Honda has endured a tougher-than-expected begin to 2026.
By means of the opening 4 races, the most effective consequence for the RC213V was Joan Mir’s seventh place on the Buriram Dash.
To place that into perspective, Aprilia, Ducati and KTM have all gained a minimum of one race thus far, whereas Yamaha’s new V4 additionally achieved a finest sixth place in final Saturday’s Brazilian Dash alongside Fabio Quartararo.
Forward of this weekend’s COTA spherical, Luca Marini insists the 2026 Honda has the flexibility to combat for the highest six, however qualifying stays its weak spot.
The Italian began 14th on the grid in Thailand and nineteenth in Brazil.
“I will be again to work quickly on a circuit that I am actually having fun with,” Marini stated. “Going from one of many shortest circuits on the calendar to the longest is actually an enormous change.
“COTA is a monitor the place a rider can actually make a distinction. I’ve executed properly there up to now and so has the Honda RC213V. I’m wanting ahead to seeing what we will do collectively and the way the bike has progressed since my final go to.”
“We’re enhancing, however the outcomes are a little bit unhealthy.”
“I feel we’ve an opportunity to combat for the highest six and that is the objective we’ve to have, as a result of we’re enhancing, however the result’s a little bit worse than final season,” Marini stated.
“So it isn’t nice to really feel such as you’ve moved again within the standings.
“We’ll attempt to get higher positions and present our potential, however one thing was lacking in qualifying and it’s at all times tough to start out from the again.
“We hope you’ll be able to pack all of it up and luxuriate in your weekend in Texas.”
Marini began the occasion in twelfth place on this planet championship, one level behind the chief Honda (LCR’s Johann Zarco).
In the meantime, Mir, who took two podiums with Honda within the second half of final season, suffered a nightmare double retirement in Brazil.
“In Brazil we confirmed our velocity and confirmed our capability to be Honda’s prime riders. Our objective this weekend is to repeat that,” he stated.
“It’s essential to remain targeted and work properly with the group to create the absolute best state of affairs to do what we all know we will do.”
Aprilia at the moment has 64 factors within the 2026 MotoGP constructors’ standings, forward of reigning champion Ducati with 47 factors. KTM has 42 factors, Honda 16 factors and Yamaha 8 factors.
Free observe at COTA, the final MotoGP occasion earlier than the three-week break as a result of Qatar’s postponement, begins on Friday morning.
