Marini targets Top-5 results as Honda seat uncertainty grows

Yamaha has been among the manufacturers most actively linked with Luca Marini for 2027, and AS reported Yamaha made a ‘great offer,’ though no move has been confirmed. Marini — contracted to Honda for this season after signing an extension in 2025 — told reporters he was unaware of any concrete offer, dismissed the transfer talk as ‘background noise’ and said, “I don’t know, but it’s true that I’m the best at developing.”

The Marini speculation sits inside a wider reshuffle of the 2027 MotoGP market that has gained momentum ahead of the Thailand round. Reports name a string of potential moves: Marc Márquez and Pedro Acosta to Ducati; Francesco Bagnaia to Aprilia alongside Marco Bezzecchi; Jorge Martín linked with Yamaha; and Fabio Quartararo widely expected to move to Honda. Yamaha itself suffered a difficult pre-season with its new V4 package. Reports that Honda is interested in signing Quartararo for 2027 have increased pressure on the seats currently occupied by Marini and Joan Mir, and some inside Honda are reported to expect Marini to leave. Honda’s options are constrained by LCR riders Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira being contracted through 2027 (Moreira on a three-year Honda deal).

Marini’s profile helps explain the interest. He moved from VR46 Ducati to Honda in 2024 and has been credited with playing a role in Honda’s competitive rebound. He praised meaningful progress after a new group of engineers arrived in 2025, citing engine improvements, fewer vibration issues and a more organized working approach, and said Buriram testing produced better results than Sepang. Marini warned Honda still needs work on one-lap speed and rear grip. He found the new soft rear tire difficult in practice, with a medium rear proving more competitive in simulations. He set realistic targets for the season: regular Top-7 starts, pushing into the Top-5 and contesting for podiums. His 2025 campaign included a P7 at Valencia that helped push Honda into C-rank concessions, a 13th-place finish in the 2025 standings overall, and a Suzuka training crash that sidelined him for three races.