The Cannes-born rider Johann Zarco has signed an additional two-year contract with Honda. He will continue his career in MotoGP with the satellite LCR team, despite his initial wish to join the official team.
Honda has clarified its plans for the coming seasons. The Japanese manufacturer confirmed this Monday the extension of Luca Marini with the official team until the end of the 2026 season. A few minutes later, LCR Honda announced the renewal of Johann Zarco. The Frenchman, engaged since 2024 with the structure led by Lucio Cecchinello, re-enlists for two seasons, until the end of the 2027 campaign.
Johann Zarco, who hoped to secure a seat at HRC, will have to wait. The coveted spot remains in the hands of Luca Marini. However, the Cannes-born rider has an important guarantee: his status as an official rider, which ensures him access to the same technical innovations as the factory team riders.
This announcement puts an end to the rumors that have been circulating for several weeks. Some observers imagined a possible seat swap between Luca Marini and Johann Zarco. Honda eventually decided to extend both riders in their respective teams, thus ensuring stability in its organization.
Continuity but not without ambitions
Johann Zarco, who celebrated his 35th birthday in July, is thus committed to a long-term future with Honda. His contract will allow him to approach the implementation of the new technical regulations scheduled for 2027. An important deadline, as it will redefine the balance in the category.
Since his arrival at LCR, the former Ducati rider has confirmed his role as a leader in the Honda camp. He won the French Grand Prix last May, then secured a podium at Silverstone. Just a few months after his arrival in 2024, he had already established himself as the brand’s best representative on the grid.
His consistency and involvement have not gone unnoticed. The Frenchman also participated in the 8 Hours of Suzuka with Honda, winning the event in 2024 and 2025. These endurance victories strengthened his bond with the manufacturer and illustrate his desire to invest beyond just the world championship.
“I am very happy to confirm that I will remain with LCR for the next two seasons. This is important because we have great goals to achieve and amazing opportunities until 2027. When I signed with Honda at the end of 2023, I didn’t expect to regain this momentum, which allowed me to secure a new two-year contract. We have already achieved a victory with Lucio and the team, and it would be fantastic to experience that again. We remain determined to continue on this path. Honda brings a lot of support to LCR and we can continue to grow thanks to our work. I want to thank HRC, LCR, and everyone who supports us,” said Johann Zarco.
For his part, Luca Marini continues his adventure with HRC. After a challenging first season, he found more consistency in 2025. He scored points in every race and achieved a fifth place in Hungary, his best result with the RC213V. Honda highlights his role with the engineers and his involvement in the development of the bike.
“I am very happy to make this announcement and to stay with Honda HRC. We’ve all been aligned on the future for some time. I am fully invested in this project and determined to help Honda return to the forefront of the MotoGP World Championship,” explained the Italian rider.
Towards a career end at HRC?
The medium-term future thus seems set. Johann Zarco will ride for LCR Honda until 2027, with technical support equivalent to that of official riders. Luca Marini, on the other hand, will remain in the factory team until the end of 2026. This difference in duration fuels speculations. Some see it as an opportunity for Johann Zarco, who might conclude his career by finally joining HRC, depending on Honda’s results and strategic choices.
In the meantime, the rider from the Maritime Alps continues his journey with Lucio Cecchinello and his team. He approaches the coming seasons with the desire to confirm his performances and influence the manufacturer’s technical decisions. For Honda, extending its two riders is a bet on stability, in a context where the brand seeks to reclaim its place in the MotoGP hierarchy.
