Luca Marini, Honda's official MotoGP rider, gave his first impressions of the new 213 RC2025V during the Barcelona tests. While progress has been noted, particularly in terms of balance and handling, the Japanese bike still seems far from its direct rivals, especially the Ducati.
Luca marini, who is about to begin his second season with the official team Honda in MotoGP, remains determined despite a difficult first year in 2024. With only 14 points and a 22nd place in the final standings, the Italian recognizes the shortcomings of the Honda RC213V but sees positive signs for 2025 thanks to the tests carried out in Barcelona.
During the Barcelona tests in mid-November, Marini finished in 18th place, a day marked by many tests and adjustments. We tested a new prototype which will serve as a base for Sepang. It's not yet faster than the bike we had at the race weekend, but we found positive elements. That said, the weaknesses remain the same. He explained.
Un new chassis was at the heart of the experiments. It's very different, especially for the front where it's positive. However, for the back, there is still work to be done. The test was not perfect for judging the chassis alone, as the bike was entirely different in its other specifications. ", added Marini, emphasizing the complexity of judging improvements under these conditions.
The arrival ofAleix Espargaró as a test pilot at Honda is seen by Marini as a major asset. It's fantastic that he was able to test the bike for the first time in Barcelona, where he is very fast. His results with Aprilia at this circuit speak for themselves. It will help us a lot in development, especially with his first impressions. " However, Marini emphasizes that the adaptation ofI will espargaro to the Honda will take time due to fundamental differences with theAprilia.
Luca Marini: “ overall performance is still not good »
Despite improvements in the bike's balance and control compared to its 2023 debut, Marini stay realistic about motosan : " The engine, transmission, electronics and aerodynamics have been improved, but the overall performance is still not good »
He believes that significant progress will probably not materialize before mid-season 2025, particularly because of the complexity of the adjustments required.
During the tests, the fastest drivers were Alex Marquez (Dozens), Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and Francis Bagnaia (Dozens). Marini, meanwhile, finished in 24th place, 1,429 seconds off the best time.
Luca marini et Honda remain engaged in an intensive development process, with moderate expectations for the start of the season. Before Sepang, it's a bit early for big steps forward, but we continue to work ", he concludes pragmatically.
To Marini, 2025 promises to be another year of transition where every improvement will count in bringing back Honda at the level of its rivals. A challenge that leaves one circumspect Charles Pernat who said: “ In my opinion, Yamaha will arrive, while Honda is in big trouble "...