After scoring double-digit constructor points in six of the first seven MotoGP rounds of the season, Honda hit a rough patch and managed one of the same feats in the past five events.
This drop-off made HRC slide from second in constructor rankings in 2025, fourth behind Aprilia and KTM. In addition, only Yamaha, 14 points before him, sits below.
Nevertheless, Honda’s current total of 147 points — led by Johann Zarco’s Le Mans Win and Silverstone Podium — has improved significantly with a tally of just 75 points in last year’s 20 rounds.
However, when the RC213V riders set out for summer vacation, I got the impression that there was a new part to stay in touch.
“It’s a tough time, but when some updates arrive, I think we can take a very good step,” said Luca Marini, who was Brno’s top Honda in 12th place.
“Aprilia and KTM have taken a step forward at this point, which is good for the championship.
“I think we’ll soon arrive at their level, but we’ll have to wait for a bike update that we know is coming.”
No Honda upgrade Johann Zarco “limits”
After struggling with the Brno due to the selection of high-risk soft tires, Zarco feels that it should be extracted a little more from the current package.
“At this point, we’re really at the limit with the bikes we have,” explained the Frenchman.
“We tried very different setups for Mugello and Assen. It didn’t work. We went back to our old setup and went back to the top 10.”
Zarco has proven to be skilled at dealing with RCV vibrations, but Honda’s to-do list still has a higher level of chatter and improving engine performance.
Will Honda updates come to Austria?
While more versions of carbon fiber swingarms are currently in production, Honda’s concession rankings mean that they can introduce a revised engine when ready.
However, Marini hinted that aerodynamics could be the first visible change in post-summer rest.
“Something from Austria, yes, we’re coming,” Marini said of the upgrade timeline.
“It’s a step – maybe not enough – but that’s what they’ve already tried in the BRNO test. You’ll see it…”
Last in the MotoGP constructor rankings for the past three years, Honda has been running for so many fights as it was runner-up behind Ducati in 2025.
Honda sits 28 points for KTM and 40 points ahead in the 10th round.