The circle of 2025 is almost closed as Honda HRC Castrol return to where the year started: the Sepang International Circuit. Luca Marini and Joan Mir prepared and ready to demonstrate a year of incredible gains from the Honda RC213V.
On February 05, 2025, the season officially began with the first test of the year at the Sepang International Circuit, now 258 days later the very same venue will host the Malaysian Grand Prix. Already collecting almost six times the points total from 2024 as a team, Honda HRC Castrol’s resurgence has been a welcome reward for all involved in the project.
Luca Marini’s steady hand, only suffering one DNF due to a technical issue, has not only benefited development of the Honda but also sees the #10 13th in the championship standings and only eight points behind leading Honda Johann Zarco. The top three still remains the ultimate goal of Marini and his recent run of top five challenges certainly confirms it as a realistic target. Consistency and adaptability will be key during the Malaysian GP, a weekend always characterised by high temperature, heavy rain and changeable conditions.
Throughout 2025, Joan Mir has shown incredible raw speed with a number of hard charging rides through the pack. When qualifying further forward, the #36 has been able to battle for, and take, the podium and repeating this remains the target in the closing trio of races. Arriving to Sepang in 2025, Mir is also looking to break a run of DNFs at the track.
Temperatures creeping into the 30s are predicted for much of the weekend with the 20-lap Grand Prix of Malaysia scheduled to start at 15:00 Local Time on Sunday, October 26.