Lucio Cecchinello, boss of the LCR MotoGP team, says Johann Zarco’s “negotiations with Honda are just beginning,” and hopes that the French can “consider” staying where they are.
The 34-year-old Frenchman signed a two-year contract with Honda to participate in the LCR last year, keeping almost all factory teams out of sync except for HRC.
Johann Zarko’s arrival at Honda was like a brand revelation, the winner of the MotoGP race was the top leader last season, and in 2025 he was doing it after four rounds.
He sat sixth in points ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, winning Honda’s first top five since 2023 at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Zarco has already expressed his desire to remain at Honda for at least two years, and has publicly acknowledged the possibility of moving to the factory team in 2026.
In a new interview with MotoGP’s World Feed at Geres on Friday, Secchinero made its position to keep Zarco, but suggests that leaving him is in his greatest benefit.
“Well, Honda feels that we see our team as part of their family, which is clear to me.
“And I think their main goal is to put as many Hondas as possible in front of them.
“We would be very pleased if Zarco could consider staying here for his future.
“But we don’t know, he’s just beginning to talks with Honda, so we’ll see.”
Zarco’s ride at Zarco’s Qatar Grand Prix (who came in fourth after Maverick Vinares’ post-race penalty) only reinforces his belief that Honda is closer to returning to the podium with the MotoGP.
This weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez represents a good opportunity for Honda as its tight track layout and lack of major acceleration points work with the inadequate RC213V favor.
However, Cecchinello says he wants to “put his feet on the ground” and see where the bike performance is on the upcoming European round, especially Mugello.
“Well, we are definitely very happy, and very pleased with the way Johann rode the bike, and I am personally happy with how the team works around the bike and make sure he performs as he is,” he said of the Qatar Grand Prix.
“But let us say we want to step into the ground and see what our performances will look like in the next few European rounds, because it is so important to race on racetracks that we know very well, like here at Geres, Le Mans and Muguero.
“And I think we would be very pleased to see that we can stay in Mugello’s top 5 and top 6.
“But that’s very difficult because other competitors are working very hard too.”