An intense final Friday of 2025 action for the Honda HRC Castrol team, Joan Mir leading the Honda charge in ninth as Luca Marini was edged out of the top ten by barely two tenths – a single second splitting 20 riders.
Returning to Valencia for the first time since 2023, both Joan Mir and Luca Marini were keen to quickly get back up to speed and understand the condition of the circuit. With stable weather conditions throughout the day, both Honda HRC Castrol riders were able to make improvements over the course of running as their preparations for the final round of year continued at pace.
Working to understand the different condition of the circuit on his return to Valencia, Mir put together an overall positive Friday. Encountering very different conditions to 2023 the #36 had to work hard for his lap times today but it will no doubt pay off with a position on the front four rows of the grid already guaranteed. Ninth when the day came to a close, Joan Mir would once again lead the Honda charge and secure his spot in Q2.
Marini had a somewhat more challenging day, managing a best time of 1’29.896 for 16th overall – but only 0.2s shy of the top ten. Also struggling to get the most out of the Honda RC213V in the low-grip conditions, the Italian is hoping for improvements on Saturday. Securing a good position on the grid will be vital, overtaking in Valencia often a tricky affair.