Marini equals best Honda result as Mir battles for top ten

The Thai GP rounded off a positive first weekend of the 2025 MotoGP World Championship for Honda HRC Castrol, Luca Marini taking 12th after an early mistake and Joan Mir showing top ten speed before an unfortunate fall.

Progress continued at pace inside the Honda HRC Castrol garage as the first Sunday of 2025 arrived at the Chang International Circuit. Oppressive conditions met the MotoGP paddock as they arrived, ambient temperatures quickly climbing towards 40°C in the morning. Undeterred, Luca Marini and Joan Mir completed their final preparations ahead of the race with a few final tweaks in Warm Up.

Luca Marini’s 26-lap Thai GP was a race of recovery, the Italian dropping back to last at the first corner after an early error just before the start line. Putting his head down, Marini steadily worked his way through the field to quickly return to battling for the points. Ending just over half a second back from Jack Miller, the Italian finished in 12th position – matching his best result from the 2024 season which was also achieved during the Thai GP. Although his full potential was masked, Marini leaves Thailand pleased with the work done and ready to deliver on his, and the Honda RC213V’s, full potential next time out.

A lightning start when the lights went out had Joan Mir immediately battling with the top ten as he continued to show his impressive improvement in pace over the previous season. Unfortunately, a crash at the last corner while chasing down Miller ended Mir’s race early, the 2020 World Champion unable to remount and continue. Despite the fall, the #36 has had his confidence boosted by the overall shape and result of the weekend – a clear change in fortunes from the 2024 Thai GP.

There will now be a brief moment of rest before the Honda HRC Castrol team return to action in just under two weeks’ time at the Argentina GP, March 14 to 16.