Honda Fine-Tunes 2025 MotoGP Machine in Valencia Test, Citing Positive Development Trajectory

Valencia, Spain – Honda’s MotoGP team concluded a post-season test in Valencia this week, reporting that while the volume of new components to evaluate was limited, the performance of those parts aligned with the team’s development goals. The test, conducted on Tuesday following the Valencia Grand Prix, served as an initial assessment of modifications slated for the 2025 season.

Despite the absence of a completely redesigned RC213V, the Japanese manufacturer focused on refining the existing machine with a suite of new solutions and components intended to maximize performance within the current technical regulations, which will remain in effect for one more year before the anticipated rule changes of 2026.

Alberto Puig, Honda’s team manager, characterized the test as a productive, albeit condensed, exercise due to damp track conditions in the morning. Speaking to DAZN, Puig stated, "The truth is it was a productive day, a bit short because of the damp track in the morning, but positive. We didn’t have much to test – two or three things, not much – but everything we fitted seems to work. In principle, the direction is good and we’re happy."

Puig refrained from specifying the exact nature of the updates evaluated by Honda’s riders, including Joan Mir, Luca Marini, and LCR Honda’s Johann Zarco. However, he emphasized the team’s objective to enhance grip levels and confirmed the exploration of several chassis configurations. "The goal was to try to gain grip, and we tested quite a few different things on the chassis," he explained. "I’m not going into details, but I’ll say again that the direction is good, and it gives you a certain reference heading into the winter."

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The team’s satisfaction with the test results provides a foundation for further development during the off-season. "Knowing that what you test works, and being able to follow a line of development, makes it easier for whatever comes next to follow the same path toward what’s good, which is nothing other than having a bike capable of fighting with the top manufacturers," Puig added.

Honda’s recent progress in the 2024 season has seen the team relinquish its Group D concessions, a result of improved performance that included a victory at the French Grand Prix, secured in wet conditions, and podium finishes in dry races at Silverstone, Motegi, and Sepang. The concession system, designed to provide struggling manufacturers with additional resources, such as private testing days and increased tire allocations, has been scaled back for Honda due to their resurgence.

Puig acknowledged the trade-off between reduced concessions and improved competitiveness, stating, "That’s why it’s so important that what we tested in Valencia worked. If you climb up the concessions ranking, logically you get fewer benefits, but we’re happy about that because it means we’ve made progress. It would have been much worse if nothing we tested had worked."

Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Honda aims to achieve greater consistency in race results. Puig expressed a desire to see Honda consistently finish within the top five. "We’ve improved, that’s obvious; the bike has gained power. Now we need to try to find consistency in the results," he said. "Thinking about a top five would be a good objective. We need to be consistent without the riders having to push at the limit every lap, because that leads to crashes and problems in qualifying."

To achieve this, Honda is focusing on developing a machine that allows riders to perform consistently without exceeding their limits. "If we can get a bike that can be regularly among the top five or six in qualifying and in the race, that would be another very important step for next year," Puig stated.

The Valencia test also marked the MotoGP debut for Diogo Moreira, Honda’s newly signed rider for 2026. Moreira, the reigning Moto2 champion, is viewed as a promising talent within the Honda camp. Puig played a key role in securing Moreira’s signing, which involved restructuring LCR Honda’s sponsorship arrangements.

Commenting on Moreira’s first experience on a MotoGP bike, Puig said, "The first day on a MotoGP bike is very complicated – it can be hell. The bike is very powerful; we already warned him to take it easy, as he’ll also have to do in next year’s Sepang test. A category change is not easy. But any rider who arrives as world champion hasn’t won that by chance. He’s young, ambitious, and I’m sure that, with time, he’ll move upwards."

Moreira’s transition to MotoGP will be a gradual process, with the team emphasizing the importance of patience and careful development. The initial test in Valencia provided a valuable opportunity for Moreira to familiarize himself with the RC213V and begin adapting to the demands of the premier class.

The Valencia test was conducted against the backdrop of significant changes within the MotoGP paddock, with several riders switching teams and manufacturers. These changes have the potential to reshape the competitive landscape for the upcoming season.

Among the notable rider movements, Marc Marquez’s departure from Honda to Gresini Racing Ducati has garnered considerable attention. Marquez, a six-time MotoGP world champion with Honda, made the switch after a challenging period with the Japanese manufacturer, seeking to revitalize his career with a more competitive machine.

Other prominent rider changes include Johann Zarco’s move from Pramac Racing Ducati to LCR Honda, and Alex Rins’s transfer from LCR Honda to Yamaha Factory Racing. These rider movements reflect the ongoing competition among teams to secure top talent and optimize their chances of success.

In addition to rider changes, several teams introduced new technical innovations during the Valencia test. Ducati, known for its aggressive aerodynamic development, unveiled a more extreme fairing solution designed to further enhance downforce and stability. Other manufacturers also presented updated aerodynamic packages and chassis configurations as they seek to gain a competitive edge.

The Valencia test served as a crucial opportunity for teams to gather data and assess the performance of new components ahead of the winter break. The information gleaned from the test will guide development efforts during the off-season as teams prepare for the official pre-season tests in Sepang and Qatar.

The MotoGP season is scheduled to commence in March, with the Qatar Grand Prix serving as the opening round. The 2025 season promises to be a highly competitive campaign, with several teams and riders vying for championship glory. Honda, buoyed by its recent progress and the positive results from the Valencia test, will be aiming to build on its momentum and challenge for race wins and podium finishes.