Honda Motog rider Luca Marini says his bike clutch issues forced him to retire at the end of the third lap of Japan’s Grand Prix last Sunday.
At the Japanese factory, one of the best weekends of the year is enjoying in the soil of his hometown, Joanne Mill has placed the RC213V in the grid for 2 seconds, converting it into two top four finishes.
The latter returned to the podium for the first time since 2021 for the one-time MotoGP World Champion, who finished third in Sunday’s 24-lap race, after Ducati duo Pecco Bagnaia and Mark Marquez.
Luca Marini finished seventh on the grid and finished there in the sprint, but was sure he was a contender for the podium at the Grand Prix.
However, clutch issues forced him to drop him behind the puck from the start, and he was forced to retire after just three laps.
“There were still things in the clutch that needed to be closely analyzed,” he said Sunday.
“There was a problem at first, but we have to look at the positives this weekend.
“It was a very good day of three days, I was strong. Without this issue I would definitely have been able to fight Jaune.”
Mir’s third place was the factory Honda team’s first podium since Mark Marquez at the 2023 Japan Grand Prix.
“It’s a great day for Honda. Jaune was able to show the potential of the bike, and it was a great boost for everyone involved in this project,” Marini added.
“The best thing we can do with this outcome for him and this outcome for me is to go straight to Mandalica and get back to work immediately.
“I’m really looking forward to the rest of the year and continue to do what we’ve shown.”
Motegi’s Honda third will be on two other podiums in 2025, following Johann Zarco’s victory at the French Grand Prix and a runner-up spot at the British Grand Prix in the LCR.
With five rounds remaining this season, there is a 40-point advantage over Yamaha in the constructor’s table, with third-placed KTM having a 40-point deficit.