Honda makes major progress at Thailand MotoGP opener

Honda's improved performance in Buriram signals a turnaround after difficult seasons.

Joan Mir of Spain and Honda HRC Castrol rides during practice for the MotoGP PT Grand Prix of Thailand at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, on February 28, 2025. Photo by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Nur

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Honda's transformation was evident at the 2025 MotoGP season opener in Thailand, as the once-struggling manufacturer demonstrated immediate competitiveness. After enduring a disastrous 2024 season with what was widely regarded as the weakest bike on the grid, Honda’s resurgence was clear from Friday practice at Buriram.

Johann Zarco impressed with a seventh-place finish in the grand prix, while Luca Marini crossed the line in 12th. Somkiat Chantra, making his premier class debut, finished 18th, while Joan Mir failed to complete the race. Despite his DNF, Mir delivered strong performances earlier in the weekend, qualifying 12th and securing ninth in the sprint race.

The most surprising statement came from Mir himself, who boldly suggested that Honda could challenge for second place this season, trailing only Ducati. His confidence reflected a renewed sense of competitiveness within the Honda camp, marking a significant step forward after years of struggle.

Honda's improvements confirmed by experts

TNT Sports analyst Sylvain Guintoli confirmed that Mir’s optimism was justified, crediting Honda's substantial technical improvements.

“The Honda has made massive steps,” Guintoli said. “Mir mentioned after Sepang, and even more after the Buriram test, that the front-end feeling was better.

“He could brake deeper and had more feedback from the tyre. Last year, he was crashing every weekend, unsure of what was happening, and completely off the pace.

“But now, they have found something. He has his feeling back. Mir’s riding style relies on hard braking—he stops the bike efficiently, but until now, he couldn’t do that. Honda looks much better across all their riders, especially Joan.”

Neil Hodgson also welcomed Honda's turnaround, stating, “It’s nice to have positive news for Honda. It has been a disaster for three years.”

Hodgson further emphasized the role of European engineering expertise in Honda’s revival.

“The Japanese manufacturers have embraced and poached European knowledge and engineers. They have joined the ‘space race’ in MotoGP development,” he noted.

Key technical changes behind Honda’s progress

One of the most significant additions to Honda's technical team is Romano Albesiano, who switched from Aprilia to take on the role of technical director. His influence is expected to be a major factor in Honda’s resurgence.

Honda has also recruited Aleix Espargaró as a test rider following his retirement from racing. Espargaró will work alongside Takaaki Nakagami, who was moved from a full-time race seat to strengthen Honda’s testing program.

The shift toward European engineering expertise is not limited to Honda. Yamaha has also made significant moves, appointing Max Bartolini as technical director. The manufacturer also secured a major acquisition by taking over the Pramac team, doubling its presence on the grid and expanding its access to crucial performance data.

Balancing present gains with future MotoGP regulations

While Honda continues to improve in the present, the team is also preparing for upcoming regulation changes. Both Honda and Yamaha face the challenge of balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term development strategies.

Michael Laverty highlighted the risks involved in trying to develop multiple projects simultaneously.

“It takes a lot of resources to concurrently develop two different machines,” Laverty said. “Yamaha is evaluating whether to switch from an inline-four to a V4, while Honda is considering the move to 850cc regulations for 2027.

“But they also know they must focus on the present. There is valuable knowledge to be gained over the next few seasons in closing the gap to Ducati, and that knowledge will be crucial in the long run.”

Laverty also stressed the importance of Honda taking full advantage of MotoGP’s concession system, which allows struggling manufacturers additional technical freedoms to catch up.

“It’s essential to use the concessions and bring usable information to the track,” he said. “And most importantly—race with it.

“In the past, Honda was too afraid to introduce something new on a race weekend in case it failed. The company had a ‘no-failure’ philosophy.

“But now, they are willing to take risks and throw more things at the problem, following the approach used by European manufacturers. They know they need to catch up, and they are finally willing to experiment to do so.”

A promising step forward for Honda

With a competitive showing in Thailand, Honda appears to be on the right track after years of frustration. While Ducati remains the dominant force in MotoGP, Mir’s confidence in the RC213V suggests that Honda is no longer a backmarker.

As the season progresses, Honda will need to maintain this momentum, making incremental improvements while keeping pace with its European rivals. The Argentina Grand Prix will be the next test to determine if Honda’s step forward in Buriram was a one-off result or the beginning of a genuine resurgence.