P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Marc Marquez’s 2025 MotoGP title celebrations risked being at least a little embarrassing for Honda, the manufacturer he left to join Ducati as he plotted a route back to glory. But there was no embarrassment, because Honda was right up there on merit at Motegi
Marc Marquez’s victory in the 2025 MotoGP title raised some eyebrows at Honda, as his success was made possible by his switch from the sad Honda RC213V to Ducati two years prior. However, the RC213V showcased its improvement at the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, where Honda’s performance was notably strong.
Joan Mir achieved a standout qualifying performance, closely matching the pole position time without using any slipstream help from other riders. The overall performance of the Honda RC213V at Motegi proved it to be one of the top bikes on the grid, challenging the Ducatis for the lead positions.
With recent upgrades, including a new chassis and lighter swingarm, Honda has enhanced the bike’s performance in all areas. Marini and Mir highlighted areas for further improvement, such as corner entry, despite acknowledging the bike’s overall improvement.
The upgrades also addressed the previous issue of top speed, as Honda’s speed trap data at Motegi reflected a significant improvement in this aspect. The reputation of Honda as a bike prone to throwing riders off has diminished, with improvements in stability and rider confidence observed during races.
