Honda in MotoGP: A Mixed Bag in Initial Season Test, Bike Remains Fragile

The 2025 MotoGP season is just around the corner, with the first Grand Prix rapidly approaching. Before the riders hit the track, there’s a buzzing question in the paddock: where does Honda stand? Winter tests at Buriram hinted at progress, but comments from Johann Zarco have cast doubt on the true performance of the Japanese brand.

Honda Gears Up with “New Beginnings”: Insights from Buriram Tests

During the Buriram tests, a wave of optimism seemed to sweep through Honda. The brand appeared to have finally found solutions to enhance its bike, especially in terms of tire management and the bike’s response during fast laps. But is it enough to compete with the category’s giants?

French rider Johann Zarco from the LCR Honda team expressed candid opinions post-tests. According to him, Honda made advancements, but primarily for a single lap, with notable improvements in the time attack. In other words, over longer stints, the bike still seems a bit behind. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s an interesting development, though it doesn’t guarantee instant success in races.

Zarco Maintains Caution: “The Test Setup Was Right”

In an interview that sparked reactions, Johann Zarco suggested that Honda could still improve the situation but also pointed out the difficulty of clearly assessing the brand’s position against the competition. He noted that during the tests, he avoided delving into the precise adjustments made to the bike to preserve his genuine feedback. This honest approach adds a layer of mystery to the actual state of the bike.

For Zarco, the priority was to provide clear feedback to the engineers, although he admits he’s uncertain about where Honda stands compared to other machines. There’s been progress, but challenges remain.

Is Honda on the Right Track… or Not?

Here’s where it gets interesting: Johann Zarco mentions some ambiguity in Honda’s performance. While the bike appears to have made significant progress in the time attack, the race pace remains a concern. This suggests that the bike isn’t yet fully equipped to go the distance in long races, where machines like Yamaha and Ducati might hold a slight edge. So, has Honda found the magic formula for 2025, or is it just an illusion?

Zarco’s Thoughts: Uncertainties, but Not Hopelessness

For now, Zarco remains cautious. His comments on the winter tests hint at progress, but he emphasizes that it’s hard to assess the bike’s development without more perspective. He also stresses that analyzing performance and adjustments should be left to the engineers, who are best positioned to evaluate the effectiveness of modifications.