P1racenews AI automatic summary:
HRC will launch its 2026 MotoGP campaign in February
The factory Honda MotoGP team will reveal the colors for its 2026 bike at its official launch event in early February, marking its second year with Castrol as the title sponsor after ending a long association with Repsol.
In the 2025 season, the team underwent a complete livery change to showcase Castrol’s colors on Joan Mir and Luca Marini’s factory RC213Vs, departing from the iconic Repsol orange.
The 2025 season was a positive one for Honda, securing victories and podiums, notably breaking a two-year win drought at the French Grand Prix with LCR’s Johann Zarco.
The improved performance boosted Honda’s standing in the concessions table, graduating from the D to the C ranking alongside Aprilia and KTM, losing some testing and development privileges.
Honda’s final 1000cc MotoGP bike will be unveiled on 2 February just ahead of pre-season testing in Sepang, with unchanged rider lineup including Mir and Marini.
Marini’s popularity with Honda management, analytical approach, and respectable results led to his contract extension till 2026, amidst talks of potential high-profile signings like Acosta and Martin that did not materialize.
