Following post-Valencia MotoGP testing, Johann Zarco shared his initial thoughts on the 2026 Honda RC213V. Despite a mid-2025 slump, Zarco ended the previous season as Honda’s sole race winner, clinching victory in a rainy French Grand Prix at Le Mans.
The 2026 model remains under development but is showing promise. Zarco noted, “This bike seems to be working well,” though he added that it neither has glaring flaws nor standout strengths yet. He pointed out that the bike still carries much of Honda’s traditional design, with aerodynamic improvements expected at the next testing session in Malaysia. However, the bikes currently on hand will remain largely the same for that test.
A key challenge addressed with the new bike is grip, with some areas showing improvement. Zarco mentioned that while certain parts felt grippier, this did not translate into a significant performance boost yet. He suggested that with the new grip capabilities, adjustments in bike balance and riding style might be necessary to fully capitalize on the upgrades.
Zarco emphasized the importance of settling on a base bike early in 2026 to focus on fine-tuning the setup. He doesn’t anticipate major changes but expects aerodynamics to play a crucial role once fully integrated. He also highlighted the benefits of working with a consistent bike to better understand and optimize its setup over multiple races.
Fan Take: For racing enthusiasts, Zarco’s insights hint at a promising evolution for Honda in 2026, especially in grip and aerodynamics—areas that have often defined race outcomes. This development phase is crucial as it could reshape competitive dynamics in MotoGP, making the upcoming season an exciting one to watch.
