A gust is blowing in the garage of Honda Moto gp. The Japanese giant was only recently sinking toward the bottom of the grid, but the tide is starting to change. Luca Marini is the most central to it all, as he recently signed an extension with Honda until 2026. And, with improvement already felt this season, the Italian rider is entering the future with true optimism–and some very serious expectations of what is yet to come.

We will start backwards to where Honda was. The factory crew were a shadow of their former in 2024 as they mightily struggled to finish last in the constructors table with only 75 points. Jump straight one year forward and the change is drastic. Honda already scored 175 points in the year 2025, and even ascended as high as the second in the rankings once. The rebirth had its dose of drama when Johann Zarco defied odds to take a rain-dipped victory in France, and the consistent performances of Marini have been equally significant in keeping the team on par and lifting the morale.

To Marini, this second year in Honda colors has been a year of continuity and expansion. Having had a rocky first start in 2024, he has amassed three times as much points already in a little more than a dozen races this season. His highlight so far? An ugly fifth place at the Hungarian GP in Balaton Park, supported by a spectacular fourth place in the sprint. He has not made the headlines with victories, but he is the one who has gotten the Honda roll going.

It is what happens off the track that makes Marini really shine, though. His quick technical feedback has gained favor among the bosses of HRC, and in particular Esprit, Taichi Honda attributes the contributions of Marini as the key to the continued evolution of the RC213V. His sober, procedural style has served to prevent his project to hang on its dead ends of the last couple of years. In other words: he has now turned into something bigger than a rider; an element of the engineering engine that propels Honda.

But the first to acknowledge that there is still much work to be done is Marini. He is identifying the next Misano test during the season as a key control point. To him, it is not only about the speed to be found on the bike, but also defining a development path in the winter. And he remembers only too well how crucial that phase can be–Honda has already faltered at off-season planning, and he is not interested in repeating history.

Stability will also be an important factor. Honda already has a secure and experienced duo to steer the project with both Marini and teammate Joan Mir both confirmed up to 2026. In the meantime, Zarco has also renewed his contract with LCR until 2027, providing the brand with continuity in both its factory and satellite teams. That stability may prove vital in returning to the top, after years of turnover and turbulence.

And the last is the brain of Marini. His voice has changed to one of care to that of confidence. He is proud enough to wear Honda colors and says he is fully invested in the project. That can be generic rider PR talk, but considering the toughness he has demonstrated through the darkest days of Honda, it comes across sincere. Not only is he sitting there killing time, but he is resolved to aid the reconstruction of one of the most legendary teams in MotoGP.

Conclusion

The renewed deal of Luca Marini is not a simple extension of contract, it is an intention. The saddest times at Honda could be over and with a better machine, more intelligent engineering and a rider with long term thinking, Honda is just beginning to fall into place. This is only going to be tested at Misano and in the long winter ahead, but based on the optimistic attitude expressed by Marini, Honda may be just in time ready to roar back in 2026.