After an intense and demanding race, Johann Zarco and Takumi Takahashi claimed victory at the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours. Already on pole position and holder of the lap record, the French rider confirmed his excellent form in an endurance format once again dominated by Honda.
Johann Zarco experienced a packed weekend in Japan. The Honda rider made an early statement in qualifying. Aboard the No. 30 CBR1000RR-R, he secured pole position during the Top 10 Trial and set a new absolute lap record at Suzuka, breaking a benchmark that had stood since 2003, established by Loris Capirossi in MotoGP.
The duel with Andrea Locatelli, who delivered an outstanding lap on the official Yamaha, was extremely close. Zarco was the last rider to head out and posted a time of 2:04.290, beating his rival by just 26 thousandths of a second. This performance placed him at the very top of the Suzuka record books.
A Complete Weekend for the French Rider
The race began under oppressive heat. From the opening stints, the Zarco–Takahashi pairing set a strong pace. After a solid opening run from the Japanese rider, Zarco took over with a lead of nearly 30 seconds. He extended the gap while carefully managing traffic. Honda’s strategy — particularly in terms of fuel consumption — proved effective. Takahashi was able to extend his stints, giving the team greater flexibility during rider changes.
At Yamaha, Jack Miller and Katsuyuki Nakasuga completed clean stints but were unable to match the pace of the No. 30 Honda. Their stints were shorter, and traffic management proved more difficult.
“I tried to keep a safety margin. With the heat, overtaking in traffic is always risky,” Miller explained after his first stint.
At the halfway point, the Honda of Zarco and Takahashi held a comfortable lead. Consistency was paying off. Behind them, the No. 1 Suzuki remained in contention. Gregg Black pushed hard in the second half of the race, hoping to capitalise on a potential mistake up front. Loris Baz’s BMW stayed within the top five despite encountering a few difficulties as the hours passed.
Late-Race Tension and Strategic Turning Points
Tension rose as the final third of the race approached. An incident at the hairpin triggered a safety car after Johann Nigon crashed with the No. 55 Honda. The more than 20-second lead built by Honda was instantly wiped out. Despite this, Takahashi retained the lead at the restart and even set the fastest lap of the race, a 2:06.670, while navigating heavy traffic.
Shortly afterwards, Yamaha briefly took the lead thanks to a more favourable strategic sequence. Andrea Locatelli took over in the final hour. Johann Zarco, slightly further back in the rotation, still had to complete another stint. The suspense remained high. However, the No. 30 Honda appeared to benefit from one fewer pit stop, a detail that ultimately proved decisive.
Jack Miller rejoined the race 40 seconds behind the Frenchman. Zarco completed the final laps without incident, despite nightfall and dense traffic. He crossed the finish line at 7:30 p.m. local time, securing victory for Honda. It marked Johann Zarco’s second personal win at Suzuka, adding to a 2025 season already highlighted by his MotoGP French Grand Prix victory.
Honda and Zarco Above the Rest
The 2025 Suzuka 8 Hours also confirmed the current momentum of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). Honda claimed its fourth consecutive victory, with strategy, endurance and traffic management proving decisive factors.
For the rider from Cannes, the weekend showcased his remarkable ability to bridge MotoGP and endurance racing with composure and authority. His qualifying performance on Saturday remains one of the standout moments of the event — a record erased after more than 20 years, on Honda’s home circuit.
The official Yamaha team, despite strong stints and determined resistance, finished second. The No. 1 Suzuki completed the podium after a steady race and some strong phases in the latter half. Loris Baz’s No. 76 BMW secured fifth place.
Further down the order, the No. 4 Ducati, which had been well positioned earlier, dropped back following an incident at the hairpin and required repairs in the pits. The No. 0 Suzuki, entered in the experimental category, encountered multiple mechanical issues.
Johann Zarco therefore leaves Japan with another victory, achieved under demanding conditions. Heat, safety car periods, traffic and pressure defined these eight hours. The French rider successfully managed every challenge, continuing a 2025 season marked by consistency and rare versatility.
Honda, meanwhile, further cements its status as the benchmark at Suzuka — a circuit that remains a symbol of prestige for Japanese manufacturers. This 46th edition once again confirmed that legacy.
