Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has lifted the curtain on its new venture for the 2025 MotoGP season, marking the dawn of the Honda HRC Castrol team. The team aims to reclaim its glory and competitiveness after facing challenging years and is relying on the collaboration with Castrol, which has a storied legacy of innovation alongside Honda.
At the official launch held recently in Jakarta, Indonesia, Joan Mir and Luca Marini revealed the revamped RC213V, which now sports vibrant Castrol colors, departing from the traditional Repsol livery. The event kicked off with Mir openly expressing his excitement, noting the bike’s extraordinary appearance and the fresh start it symbolizes for him and the team. "First of all, I have to say the bike looks incredible – the new colours are different to what we have seen in the past, but they are strong and it will be a pleasure to wear them," said Mir, reflecting on the fresh direction for Honda as they gear up for the season.
The partnership with Castrol brings not only financial backing but also technical support, enhancing Honda's competitive edge as they aim to consolidate their standing within MotoGP. "On behalf of Honda HRC, I would like to welcome Castrol to the MotoGP project. HRC and Castrol both share the same vision, drive and focus on technology and the future," Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, remarked during the launch. This collaboration is poised to contribute to Yamaha’s impressive record, which includes 25 Constructors’ World Championships and over 300 premier class wins.
Both riders, Mir and Marini, are eager to kick off the new season with high expectations and clear objectives. Mir, entering his third year with Honda, aims to leverage his extensive experience as they continue to refine the RC213V, which has undergone significant changes and improvements during the off-season. Mir’s previous two years with Honda were marked by struggles, failing to break past the top 20, but he is optimistic about this new chapter. "We enter this new season with clear goals as we continue to work on improving the bike, the team, and ourselves. It will be an intense start to the year, straight to two tests after the winter, but this will allow us to get back up to speed quickly. I am looking forward to seeing what our engineers, and our new partners at Castrol, have been working on over the winter," Mir added.
Marini, who had also shown promise during his previous season, reiterated his commitment to progress as he continues to ride for Honda. "It is fantastic to come to Jakarta to reveal these new colours – the people here have such a passion for motorbikes, MotoGP, and Honda. From the 2024 season, we have learned a lot; we were able to end it well, and continuing to improve is once again the objective for this 2025 season," Marini stated, laden with optimism and enthusiasm.
The thrill surrounding the 2025 MotoGP season is palpable, especially with the first test scheduled for February 5, 2025, at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia. This will be the team’s chance to hit the ground running and showcase their evolution to fans and competitors alike. The official season will kick off on March 2 at the Chang International Circuit for the Thai Grand Prix.
This season is not only pivotal for Honda’s return to form but also serves as a litmus test for Mir’s aspirations to revitalize his career after two challenging seasons. The focus will be on both riders to adapt to their new environment and maximize their performances with the improved machinery underpinned by the experienced support team led by the Honda HRC Test Team.
With the combination of Mir's past achievements, Marini's upward momentum, and the commitment from Honda’s engineering team, there is hope and anticipation for the 2025 season. The industry will be watching closely as Honda looks to rise again, propelled by the dynamic duo of Mir and Marini under the freshly minted Honda HRC Castrol banner. Could this year be the game-changer they’ve all been waiting for?
Fan excitement is also running high as the team begins this new venture. Supporters are eager to witness whether this partnership will materialize Honda’s goals for the future. With their competitive spirit and fresh determination, the 2025 MotoGP season is set to be one to watch for Honda devotees and motorsport enthusiasts alike. The anticipation builds as the Sepang test nears, signaling the true beginning of Honda’s motivational campaign.