Honda’s MotoGP resurgence continues after strong Thailand GP

Honda shows progress in 2025 MotoGP season as Zarco secures top-10 finish.

Lucio Cecchinello of Italy and Idemitsu Honda LCR talks to journalists on the grid before the MotoGP of Thailand Sprint at Chang International Circuit on March 1, 2025, in Buriram, Thailand. Photo by Mirco Lazzari/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Honda has shown signs of a partial resurgence in the 2025 MotoGP season, surprising many with their improved performance. While the team struggled in recent years, their showing at the Thailand Grand Prix indicated that they might be on the path to competitiveness once again.

At Buriram, Honda came close to having two bikes inside the top 10, a significant improvement given their struggles in previous seasons. Johann Zarco delivered an impressive seventh-place finish, marking his best result since 2023. However, Joan Mir failed to capitalize on the opportunity, leaving the team with mixed emotions despite the encouraging performance.

Zarco leads Honda’s charge but sees room for improvement

Zarco’s strong showing in Thailand demonstrated that Honda has made real progress, but questions remain about whether their bike is still the slowest on the grid. The LCR Honda team, in particular, will take confidence from their ability to compete for top-10 finishes after spending much of the past few seasons at the back of the pack.

Despite the positive signs, Zarco acknowledged that Honda still has work to do. The intense heat in Thailand posed challenges for the team, and he believes they still face a disadvantage compared to their rivals. Fortunately, such extreme conditions are unlikely to be a major factor in the upcoming rounds of the season.

LCR Honda’s investment in Somkiat Chantra

The LCR team took a bold step by signing rookie Somkiat Chantra for the 2025 season. The Thai rider impressed the team during pre-season testing at Buriram, raising hopes that he could develop into a competitive MotoGP rider.

Chantra’s debut race in Thailand was steady but unspectacular. He finished 18th, the slowest of all riders who completed the race without any issues. While his pace was not particularly eye-catching, the team views his signing as a long-term investment.

With the 2027 MotoGP regulations set to bring a shift from 1000cc to 850cc bikes, LCR sees value in giving Chantra experience now. If they intend to retain him for the future, this season will provide crucial learning opportunities.

LCR’s future with Honda remains uncertain

LCR Honda team boss Lucio Cecchinello has confirmed that the team has an option to extend their partnership with Honda beyond 2026. However, the decision will likely depend on how much progress Honda makes in the coming seasons.

“We have an option with Honda for a collaboration for 2027,” Cecchinello told GPone.

With MotoGP’s concession system in place, Honda and Yamaha benefit from exemptions to the two-year engine freeze imposed on their European rivals. This allows them to continue engine development throughout the season, providing an opportunity to close the gap if they make the necessary investments and upgrades.

Can Honda push for more in 2025?

Zarco’s seventh-place finish in Thailand meant he collected nearly 20% of the points he managed in the entire 2024 season in just one race. This early success suggests that Honda could be in for a more competitive year than expected.

If the team continues to refine their chassis and bring steady upgrades, they could consistently fight for top-10 finishes. On the right day, with favorable conditions and a bit of luck, Honda might even challenge for a podium—something they have not achieved since Alex Rins’ victory at the 2023 Grand Prix of the Americas.

The 2025 season is still in its early stages, but Honda’s progress in Thailand has given them a platform to build upon. The next rounds will reveal whether their resurgence is sustainable or if more challenges lie ahead.