Honda HRC Castrol Reveals 2026 MotoGP Livery as Marini and Mir Target Title Push

Tokyo: Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has unveiled the official colours in which Luca Marini and Joan Mir will contest the 2026 MotoGP World Championship, as the factory Honda HRC Castrol team looks to build on its resurgence and challenge consistently at the front of the grid.

A year after the debut of the Honda HRC Castrol project, the Japanese manufacturer’s factory MotoGP effort has undergone a rapid turnaround. Relentless development work by Honda HRC’s engineers, partners, and riders throughout the 2025 season saw the Honda RC213V deliver its strongest performance since 2019, restoring competitiveness and confidence within the team.

With momentum firmly behind them, Honda HRC Castrol enter the 2026 campaign with clearly defined objectives, aiming to convert progress into podiums and victories. Consistency remains central to the team’s philosophy as Marini and Mir begin their third consecutive season together, now a proven and complementary pairing that provides a holistic approach to development and race execution.

The ongoing collaboration between Honda HRC and Castrol, now in its second year, has delivered notable technical gains during its first 12 months. Further performance improvements from advanced fuels and lubricants remain a key focus as both partners push for greater efficiency, durability, and outright speed throughout the 2026 season.

Entering his third year with Honda, Luca Marini showed significant growth in speed and consistency during 2025. The 28-year-old Italian missed the top ten only twice in the second half of the season and was a regular front-runner among Honda riders. For 2026, Marini has set his sights on taking the next step and fighting for podiums and race victories.

Joan Mir, the 2020 MotoGP World Champion, approaches the new season with renewed confidence after securing his first podium as an HRC rider at Honda’s home race in Motegi, followed by another podium finish at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Having demonstrated flashes of exceptional pace, the Spaniard is determined to turn those standout performances into consistent front-running results in 2026.

The Honda RC213V will compete in its final season proudly adorned in the iconic Honda HRC tricolore. Red symbolizes passion for racing, blue reflects Honda’s relentless pursuit of technical excellence, and white represents the global motorsport fanbase. The design is further strengthened by the bold presence of title partner Castrol, underscoring a partnership that continues to deepen both technically and visually.

The 2026 season also marks a historic milestone, celebrating 60 years since Honda’s entry into the premier class. From the 500cc RC181 to today’s 1,000cc RC213V, Honda’s legacy includes 314 premier-class victories and more than 2,300 podium finishes across all classes, achievements that will be commemorated throughout the year.

Honda HRC Castrol will next head to the Sepang International Circuit for the first pre-season test from February 3 to 5, with the opening round of the championship fast approaching. The countdown is on to the first lights-out of the 2026 season at the Thai Grand Prix, scheduled for February 27 to March 1.