Luca Marini, HRC pilot, displays an impressive regularity with four consecutive top 10 in MotoGP 2025, but aims for Q2 at the Grand Prix de France. Seventh in the championship, Johann Zarco (LCR) remains the spearhead Honda, while Joan Mir and Takaaki Nakagami (Wild-Card) will seek to shine. Here is the analysis, in connection with Le Mans.
Luca Marinidiscreet but formably constant, is about to compete in the Grand Prix de France in Le Mans as a pilot Honda from the 2025 season claiming four consecutive top 10. The Italian of the HRC team wants to embody the constant progression of the project Honda. However, a black point persists: qualifications.
« Let’s start on the wheel hats and Let’s focus on the Q2 To be ready for races “, Insists Marini. « Every weekend, We have managed to progresswe must continue on this momentum. »
Le Mans is a strategic opportunity for Honda. The Bugatti circuit, with its intense braking zones, plays in favor of the RC213V, according to Marini : « There are a lot of sudden braking here, what should suit us. I can’t wait to fight again like Jerez. »
But the vibrations at the rear continue to curb the potential of Hondaespecially in the race: ” With a new tire, that’s fine. But when it sags, I start to slip into each turn. This is what generates vibrations. If we improve rear adhesion, we eliminate this problem. »
Yamaha, the opponent designated by Honda
The rise of Fabio Quartararo and Yamaha in qualifying is a reference. Marini observe : « Yamaha is super strong in Chrono attack. With the new rear tire, they have a lot of grip. This is not our case. But in racing rhythm, we are performing. We just miss this click on a tour. »
The rest of the armada Honda is made up of Mir At the attack, Zarco solid, a Johann Zarcocurrently 7th as a general, remains the best driver Honda. Joan Mir, despite a good speed in testing and several Q2, only points out in 18th position in championshipfor lack of regularity. However, he keeps his head high: ” We have a good speed and we are in the second group. You have to transform this into points. I know I can get there. »
Mir also tested the new engine to Jerez Hondainaugurated by Aleix Espargaró in Wild-Card, but the team remains cautious: ” You have to be sure that this engine brings a real plus. Otherwise, you might as well stay with our current base, which is correct. »
Another Wild-Card, Back Nakagamiwill resume development this MotoGP weekend at Le Mans, using the prototype for the first time in the official race. While Marini aims at a top 10 and a first real breakthrough in Q2, Honda Continue to move forward on two fronts: maintain current competitiveness while testing the bases of the future.
