Puig: Why Honda is testing the 850s with Mir and Marini – despite their departure

When MotoGP tests the new 850cc prototypes with the future Pirelli standard tyres for the first time on Monday following the Czech Grand Prix, Honda will be taking an unusual approach. Instead of relying on its riders of the future, HRC is turning to its current riders: Joan Mir and Luca Marini will provide the first feedback on the new-generation bike.

The decision has caused some surprise in the MotoGP paddock. After all, both Mir and Marini have already confirmed they will be leaving Honda at the end of the 2026 season. Both will continue their careers with other manufacturers and will never compete in a MotoGP race on the new 850cc Honda.

It would therefore have made more sense to choose LCR rider Diogo Moreira. The Brazilian remains part of the Honda project and will compete in MotoGP on the new bike in 2027 – possibly even for the factory team. However, HRC team manager Alberto Puig sees the situation differently.

Why Honda will be testing the RC214V with Marini and Mir

“We’ll be using our current riders, Joan and Luca,” Puig explained to MotoGP.com. “We’re relying on the riders who know our bike best. That’s why we’re taking this approach and hope to get the best possible feedback on the new bike from them. We’ll see how things go at the next test.”

For Honda, the focus of this initial comparison is clearly not on long-term personnel planning, but on the quality of the feedback. Mir and Marini know the current RC213V inside out and are therefore expected to be best placed to assess the differences between the existing MotoGP bike and the new 850cc prototype with the greatest precision.

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When asked why Moreira is being left out despite his long-term commitment to Honda, Puig initially sidestepped the question. “There’s another test coming up,” the Spaniard reminded us, referring to the next test session in Spielberg.

Despite the probing questions, Puig left no doubt that Honda had made the decision deliberately. “We are convinced that we have the best possible plan. We are happy with it.”

HRC does not want to “confuse” rookie Diogo Moreira

Particularly interesting was Puig’s explanation as to why Honda is deliberately not putting Diogo Moreira on the new 850cc bike. The HRC team manager fears that too many different bikes could hinder the MotoGP rookie’s development.

“We had Diogo very much in mind when making our decision,” Puig emphasised. “We want him to understand the current 1000cc bike as well as possible. If we gave him a second bike to test in his first year in MotoGP, that would be the daftest decision you could make. That would only confuse the rider. But we’re not here to confuse riders.”