Luca Marini says it is “a pity” the MotoGP rules are changing for 2027, causing Honda’s progress to slow in 2026.

The closing stages of the 2025 MotoGP season saw Honda celebrate a pair of podiums with Joan Mir and promotion out of concession Rank D.

This season, however, the RC213V has managed a best finish of fifth, with Honda scoring 29 fewer constructors’ points than at the same stage last year.

Luca Marini believes the loss of momentum is largely down to HRC "understandably" shifting its development focus to next year's new 850cc/Pirelli era.

Reflecting on the progress he has seen since joining Honda in 2024, Marini, who will move to Tech3 KTM next season, said:

“From 2024 to now is completely different in every aspect. It was like a revolution in a very good way.

"I think that, or my side, the change of rules for next year, it’s a pity. Because we could do much more in 2026 if the rules kept going like this. 

"Even if they changed the riders. They would improve the project, they would keep listening to me, and keep working on the bike. 

"While unfortunately, now all the effort is put on the new [2027] bike that, of course, I understand.”

Marini, 11th overall and Honda’s leading rider in the world championship standings, added:

“In this 2026, we are not collecting the results that we expected and what we worked for in the past two years.

“So when I arrived at Honda, we needed to work all together to build something.

“And now that it’s ready, it’s still missing some little pieces to enjoy a little bit more with the results.

“Because we enjoy a lot the time in the garage, the atmosphere is fantastic, but we’re missing some bigger results, and the opportunity to work for it in every weekend.”

Marini and team-mate Mir will lose their factory seats to a new HRC line-up featuring Fabio Quartararo and either Diogo Moreira or David Alonso.

Source: Read the original article on www.crash.net

Written by https://futureknowledge.in/