Luca Marini, who replaces the eight-time world champion Marc Marquez at Honda for the 2024 season following Marquez’s move to Ducati, revealed that earning the “trust” of HRC engineers was a gradual process. Despite a challenging first season scoring just 14 points, Marini significantly improved in his second year, finishing with 142 points.
Marini, along with LCR’s Johann Zarco and teammate Joan Mir, narrowly missed out on podium finishes. Had he not missed three races due to an injury at Suzuka Superbike, the 28-year-old likely would have secured the six additional points needed to become Honda’s highest-ranked rider in the championship standings. Marini’s progress in 2025 was linked to an upgraded RCV bike, which saw a 57% improvement compared to the previous year.
Although his feedback quality stayed consistent, Marini believes that the growing trust he earned from HRC engineers played a crucial role in developing the bike. “I believe I have their trust now,” Marini said late in the season. “Every time I speak, they not only listen but also act on my requests. Coming here after Marc, who won many titles, things were different because I didn’t have that record to back me up initially. But after several tests and races, they started to trust me. I think I have qualities they’ve recognized as key in following my direction and feedback.”
Marini acknowledged that gaining such trust naturally takes time, particularly with a team like Honda that is accustomed to winning Grand Prix events. “They are starting from scratch now, but the goal is to return to winning and competing for victories next season,” he added.
The former VR46 Ducati podium finisher also stressed the importance of leadership and delivering precise information about new bike parts and performance. “Feedback isn’t just technical; it’s also about human factors,” he explained. “In today’s MotoGP era, fostering a great garage atmosphere is crucial since events are intense and everyone is under a lot of pressure. It’s tough for the mechanics too, so controlling everything and leading the team well is vital.”
Honda’s resurgence has also resulted in raising its concession status from D to C for the 2026 season.
Fan Take: This development highlights the critical role rider-engineer trust plays in MotoGP success, showing that even top teams need time to rebuild chemistry after major lineup changes. For fans, Marini’s rise and Honda’s improved bike promise a more competitive and exciting championship battle ahead.
