There have been numerous signs over the past 12 months that one of MotoGP’s sleeping giants is beginning to wake up. No more snoozing the alarm and having a bit more shut-eye. Honda are up and sipping on their morning espresso, with the caffeine about to hit as MotoGP edges closer to lift off in 2026.
For too long, HRC haven’t been able to challenge for podiums and wins on a regular basis. MotoGP’s most successful manufacturer – alongside Japanese compatriots Yamaha – was struggling to keep tabs on the rise of Europe’s elite in the form of Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM.
There have been glimmers of hope. One-off victories for the likes of Alex Rins at the 2023 Americas GP and then Johann Zarco’s famous home win at last year’s unforgettable French GP have provided the factory with much-needed boosts in recent years, but for a collective that has winning trophies etched deep in their history, two wins in three seasons doesn’t cut the mustard.
However, when Zarco backed that result up with a P2 at Silverstone next time out, a fair few ears were pricked like a German Shepherd’s when the rattling of a dog lead bounces off the hallway walls. The signs were there across the board that HRC were beginning to pick up speed again, and two podiums that bookended the 2025 flyaway tour from Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) in Japan and Malaysia confirmed the strides forward were significant.
And that rang true during the Sepang Test too. HRC Test Rider Aleix Espargaro took to social media to express his delight at the 2026 RC213V, saying it’s the best MotoGP bike he’s ever handled. Big praise from the Aprilia race winner. Then, during the Official Test, Mir heaped praise on the package too.
“I feel good on the bike, I feel confident. We still have some weak points we need to work on, but it’s been a positive day,” said the 2020 World Champion at the end of Day 2 in Malaysia.
“The grip is still an issue. We spin more than what we want and tomorrow we’ll work on it, I’ll try to understand what we need to improve on that area. We’ll try put everything together… It’s the best package I’ve ridden since I joined Honda, so I’m happy.”
Mir topped the times on the second day and ended up P5 overall after his request to join the coveted 1:56 club was accepted. The #36’s 1:56.874 was 0.472s shy of Alex Marquez’s (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) table-topping time, but over four tenths quicker than his best effort at the 2025 Sepang Test.
HRC’s progress was also noted by factory Team Manager, Alberto Puig.
“We are very pleased because we’ve made big progress. It’s not been a revolution but an improvement in the areas we needed to improve. Not massive, but small things that make the final result quite big. The bike is working well, we’re happier with the engine performance, the bike is better, lighter. We are pleased. The target is to win as soon as possible.”
While both Mir and teammate Luca Marini said the final day unearthed some lingering problems for HRC, most notably the rear grip, but there’s no doubt the Japanese marque enjoyed their best pre-season for a long time. And while Ducati and Aprilia seem to still boast the advantage in terms of outright performance, you won’t find too many people who think HRC won’t be challenging for wins this year.
Puig is always honest. There’s no messing about when it comes to answers with the experienced Spaniard, and if someone of that ilk says the target is to win as soon as possible, you know Honda are well placed to be able to put themselves in with chances of picking up victories in 2026.