For the first time since the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix, the factory Honda HRC team stepped onto the premier class podium as Joan Mir’s years of hard work and focus were rewarded with third place on Sunday in Motegi. Luca Marini suffered his first DNF of the year.
A fantastic day in Motegi saw Joan Mir and Honda HRC Castrol deliver on the ever-growing potential they have shown not just this season, but since the 2020 MotoGP World Champion joined the factory team in 2023. As in the Sprint, Mir fought for every position and quickly overcame an early mistake to close down Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta. The trio would give no quarter as they battled until the middle of the race, Mir getting the better of Acosta and easily holding off a late run from Marco Bezzecchi.
Cheers erupted inside the Honda HRC Castrol garage as Joan Mir returned the factory team to the podium, his first as a rider since the Algarve Grand Prix in 2021. With a multitude of Honda Motor and HRC management and staff in attendance for Honda’s home race, the podium could not have come at a better time. The result is another welcome boost for both the #36 and the entirety of Honda HRC, a tangible reward for the efforts put in. This is the first Japanese GP podium of Mir’s Grand Prix career.
Luca Marini’s Japanese GP would unfortunately follow a very different trajectory as a technical issue ruled him out after just a few laps when he returned to the pits. Honda HRC engineers will confirm the issue ahead of the Indonesian Grand Prix next week. The DNF brings Marini’s perfect race start to point-scoring finishes ratio to an end. He remains positive and focused on returning to where the Honda RC213V has shown it can be in the coming races.
The MotoGP World Championship now travels directly to Lombok, Indonesia for the Indonesia Grand Prix at the Mandalika Circuit.
Honda HRC would like to extend their most enthusiastic congratulations to Marc Marquez on winning the 2025 MotoGP World Championship. The result cements an incredible return from a multi-year injury ordeal, highlighting his truly unique mentality and approach to racing.