As Yamaha and Honda battle at the back of the grid to restore their MotoGP credentials, Honda factory rider Luca Marini delivers a clear-eyed and straightforward analysis of the fundamental difference between the two Japanese manufacturers. After an intense day of testing, the Italian rider highlights a striking contrast between the working methods of these two brands... and his conviction that Honda has ultimately opted for the more demanding but more promising path.
Monday, on the Misano circuit, Marini concluded the session with the 11th time. But beyond the stopwatch, it was the nature of the work accomplished that stood out. It was a positive test, especially looking ahead to 2026. The bike is not faster today, but it is more stable, with real potential »
The morning was dedicated to the future RC213V, while the afternoon allowed for testing aerodynamic adjustments and settings applicable from this season. It was during the exchange with the press that Luca marini slipped in a remark that says a lot about the divide between the two Japanese giants:
« Yamaha took the shortest route. We chose the longest. Changing an engine is complicatedA V4 consumes more, it's more unstable, but we're making progress little by little. »
Honda has decided to fundamentally change its motorcycle. The project around the 2026 RC213V is proof of this: aerodynamic redesign, engine development, and a work philosophy inspired by Europe. We have very precise feedback, and the manufacturer's response is quick. There is a real dynamic »
Honda: a changing technical culture
At the heart of this transformation, Romano Albesiano, former technical brain ofAprilia, embodies this bridge between European know-how and Japanese rigor. For Marini, the change is palpable:
« The mix between Japanese and European teams works well. We are faster in execution, in decision-making, in organization »
The approach is no longer just to adjust suspensions or maps as in a satellite team. Now, Marini finds itself at the center of a more ambitious process:
« We test things that don't always work.But when it works, it's a real satisfaction. »
If he deplores the absence of his teammate Joan Mir during this test day, Marini has fully assumed its role, with new technical legitimacy acquired over the months.
« They trust me. It wasn't automatic. I had to earn it. Now, when I say yes, it's yes. And when I say no, they listen »
He also raises the possibility of a new fairing to be introduced this season. This would be a rare visible proof of the evolution underway in Honda, often criticized in recent years for its technical immobility.
Meanwhile, at Yamaha Fabio Quartararo keeps demanding upgrades, but deliveries are arriving in dribs and drabs. Frustration is growing, despite reassuring communication. The contrast is all the more cruel for the Iwata manufacturer as Honda, yet in the same technical abyss in 2023, seems to have initiated a real systemic transformation, even if it means starting from scratch.
Through the words of Luca marini, one thing becomes clear: Honda is reinventing itself, at the cost of a painful but coherent effort. Where Yamaha still relies on caution and continuity, Honda accept the discomfort of change to rebuild on solid ground.
Marini knows: the results will not be immediate. But for a manufacturer whose track record crushes the history of MotoGP, getting back to the top requires more than just a facelift. It requires starting from scratch. And Honda, finally, seems to have understood it.
