Honda team is facing a big decision. Because after a rough few years, they are finally showing signs of a comeback, but now they’ve got tough choices to make about who will ride their bikes in the future.

And who is at the center of the conversation? It’s Luca Marini and Johann Zarco, whose contracts are ending soon. Both riders have played key roles in Honda’s recent progress, but with Pedro Acosta now being linked to the team, everything is up in the air.

Just a year ago, the idea of someone like Acosta joining would have sounded crazy, as the RC213V was a mess. But after a serious engineering effort over the winter, Honda’s bikes are finally getting competitive again—and that puts them back in the frame for big names like Acosta.

Right now, Acosta rides for KTM, but the Austrian team is struggling. Despite a win (which was later wiped out by a penalty), KTM has not lived up to expectations. And while Acosta still has a year left on his deal, it’s clear that he is open to exploring new options. That’s where Honda enters—one of the few teams with both the budget and ambition to try to buy him out early.

There has also been talk of VR46 being interested in Acosta too, but that would mean the team might have to drop Franco Morbidelli, who is currently in solid form. Plus, VR46 may not have the budget that Honda does to make such a bold move.

So if Honda does go after Acosta, it would likely mean moving Marini out of the factory team. But that doesn’t mean showing him the door. Instead, Honda is reportedly hoping to move him to their satellite team, LCR Honda, where his technical feedback could still be important.

Marini has become a pivotal part of Honda’s development process. He has helped to refine the bike alongside Joan Mir and has earned praise from team boss Alberto Puig for his consistent work. With major rule changes coming in 2027 and a new RC214V likely in development, keeping Marini could be key to their success.

But there’s a catch—LCR already has Johann Zarco, who is currently Honda’s top-performing rider.

Zarco might be the oldest on the grid, but you wouldn’t guess that from his results. He finished fourth in Qatar and sits sixth in the championship standings. That kind of performance makes it very hard to justify replacing him.

Zarco himself wants to stay, and he’s been open about it. After the Qatar race, he said:

“I know I’m doing good things with Honda, and I want to continue with them. That would be the best way.” Zarco said to The Race

He’s even suggested that staying with LCR for two more years might be a better option than jumping to the factory team for just one year. Still, age is the one thing that could work against him. If he signs another two-year deal, he would be 37 by the time it ends—a sharp contrast to 20-year-old Acosta, who could represent the future of the sport.

So here’s where Honda stands: they’ve got Zarco, Marini, and a golden opportunity to sign a potential future champion in Acosta. But keeping all three might not be possible.

The choices Honda makes in the coming months could shape their MotoGP future for years. But one thing is for sure—they’re back in the fight, and the paddock is watching.