Honda Racing Corporation unveiled the livery in which Luca marini et Joan mir will take part in the World Championship MotoGP 2026, with the aim of continuing their return to the forefront.
One year after the debut of the Honda HRC Castrol team, Honda's official program has continued its upward trajectory, demonstrating a rapid and significant recovery. The hard work of Honda HRC engineers, partners, and riders throughout the 2025 season enabled the Honda RC213V to achieve its best performance since 2019.
Building on this momentum, Honda HRC Castrol approaches the 2026 season with clearly defined objectives, while continuing to deliver exciting racing for fans worldwide. Continuity remains a key value, as Luca Marini et Joan mir are starting their third season together in the official team: a now proven duo, capable of bringing a comprehensive and coherent approach to the competition.
Entering its second year, the collaboration between Honda HRC and Castrol has already yielded significant technical and performance advancements in its first twelve months. Maintaining this sustained pace of development remains a priority for both partners, who are aiming for further performance gains, particularly through fuels and lubricants.
For his third season with Honda, Luca marini continued to progress in 2025, both in speed and consistency. This methodical consistency will be a major asset for the 2026 campaign. Race after race, riding a constantly evolving RC213V, the 28-year-old Italian rider only missed the top 10 twice in the second half of the season, fighting to the very end to be Honda's best representative. His goal for this year is clear: to take another step forward and fight for podiums and victories.
After securing a memorable first podium finish as an HRC rider on Japanese soil at Motegi, followed by a second at the Malaysian Grand Prix, Joan mir He approaches 2026 with renewed motivation. The 2020 MotoGP world champion has repeatedly demonstrated his undeniable speed and intends to translate these benchmark performances into consistent results throughout the season. Like his teammate, he aims for constant battles at the front of the pack.
The Honda RC213V will compete in its final season, proudly sporting Honda HRC's iconic tricolor once again: red, symbolizing a passion for racing; blue, representing the pursuit of technical excellence; and white, a tribute to motorcycle racing fans. These colors reinforce Honda HRC's identity at the highest level of motorsport and clearly distinguish the factory teams. The design is further enhanced by the prominent presence of title partner Castrol, whose collaboration with Honda continues to grow stronger.
The year 2026 also marks the 60th anniversary of Honda's entry into the premier class, with the 500cc RC181 launching a lineage that leads to the current 1000cc RC213V. This historic year will be punctuated by numerous celebrations, paying tribute to Honda's 314 premier class victories and over 2,300 podium finishes across all categories.
Honda HRC Castrol is now turning its attention to the first pre-season test, scheduled for February 3-5 at the Sepang International Circuit, with the first Grand Prix of the year fast approaching. The countdown has begun before the Thai Grand Prix, from February 27 to March 1.
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation:
“It is a pleasure to unveil the 2026 Honda HRC Castrol team and highlight our global commitment to returning to the top of the MotoGP World Championship. This year is special for Honda HRC as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of our first participation in the premier class, a historic moment that we will commemorate throughout the 2026 season.”
Every member of the team plays a vital role, as do all our partners, and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to the progress made in 2025. Our goal for this season is clear: to continue on our current trajectory and consistently fight at the front. Luca Marini has demonstrated great consistency and a keen technical understanding, while Joan Mir's determination and resilience are an inspiration to everyone. I would also like to acknowledge Castrol's commitment, whose partnership with Honda continues to grow stronger.
Sandeep Sangwan, Chief Marketing Officer, Castrol:
“We are delighted to see Castrol’s strong racing heritage continue alongside Honda Motorcycles, and we are pleased to extend our partnership with Honda within the Honda HRC Castrol team in 2026. As a brand committed to superior performance and technical innovation, we naturally share the same values as Honda HRC. This partnership and MotoGP offer Castrol an exceptional platform to get even closer to motorcycle racing enthusiasts and two-wheel fans. Castrol wishes the team every success for the 2026 MotoGP season.”
Alberto Puig, Team Manager, Honda HRC Castrol:
“The DNA of this company is racing. What prevails, what guides all decisions, is the passion to win and the passion for competition that Honda has always demonstrated throughout its history. Honda’s foundations for 2026 rest on the work accomplished in 2025: solid technical advances were made and both riders progressed. Marini’s consistency was crucial in reaching a new level of concessions, and Mir was able to express his champion talent with two major podium finishes.”
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