The 2025 MotoGP season kicked off in Thailand, and it is clear to say that Honda’s improvement was a big surprise. After struggling in 2024 with the weakest bike on the grid, Honda came back and showed that they are ready to fight right from the start.

Johann Zarco grabbed attention with a seventh-place finish in the main race, while Luca Marini came in 12th. Their rookie, Somkiat Chantra, placed 18th in his debut, and even though Joan Mir didn’t finish the race, his weekend was still promising. Mir qualified in 12th and finished ninth in the sprint race. Even more surprising was his claim that Honda could even be the second-best team behind Ducati.

So what has changed?

Former rider Sylvain Guintoli, speaking for TNT Sports, explained how Honda managed to make progress: “Mir said after testing in Sepang and Buriram that the front-end feel of the bike was much better. He could brake later and get more feedback from the tires. Last year, he crashed all the time and was completely off the pace. But now, he has his confidence back.”

Mir’s characteristic riding style is aggressive braking and late stops, but last year’s Honda didn’t allow him to ride that way. This season, the improvements have finally given him the control he needs.

MotoGP analyst Neil Hodgson added, “It’s great to finally have good news for Honda. The last three years have been a disaster.” He pointed out that Honda, along with Yamaha, has been bringing in new engineers and technical expertise from European manufacturers.

A Fresh Approach

Honda has made some staff changes. Romano Albesiano is now their technical director. The team has also brought in Aleix Espargaró as a test rider alongside Takaaki Nakagami, who stayed with the team in a testing role.

Yamaha is also making big moves. They hired Max Bartolini as their new technical director and expanded their presence on the grid by acquiring the satellite Pramac team.

Balancing the Present and the Future

Both Honda and Yamaha have their eyes on the future. Honda is already thinking about the new regulations for 2027, including a shift to an 850cc engine, while Yamaha is developing a V4 engine.

However, experts warn that focusing too much on long-term plans could hurt their current performance. MotoGP commentator Michael Laverty emphasized the importance of staying competitive now: “It takes a lot of resources to develop two bikes at once. Honda and Yamaha need to use the next few seasons to close the gap to Ducati. The knowledge they gain now will be crucial.”

He also pointed out that Honda is finally taking more risks in races. “In the past, they were afraid to introduce new parts on race weekends in case they failed. Now, they’re willing to experiment and play catch-up, just like the European manufacturers.”

Honda’s turnaround in 2025 is one of the most exciting stories of the season so far. And while Ducati still leads the grid, Honda is proving they are no longer at the back.