Honda HRC Castrol target another step in Jerez
Circuito de Jerez - Angel NietoLuca Marini, Joan Mir and Honda HRC Castrol arrive in Europe for the first time in 2025 ahead of Round Five as everyone targets another step forward in the never-ending march of progress.
Honda HRC Castrol have been able to take solid points from each of the four previous rounds and, perhaps most importantly, continue to deepen their understanding of the current form of the Honda RC213V with each and every lap. Luca Marini’s infallible consistency and Joan Mir’s undeniable speed have been crucial in returning to regularly contesting the top ten.
The Qatar weekend saw Luca Marini and his side of the garage turn around a difficult Saturday into a third straight top ten finish. Stronger in the longer races, there’s still some improvements to be found for the #10 during Saturday’s Sprints. Tighter and without a heavy demand for top-end power, the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto should allow the Italian to exploit the strengths of the Honda RC213V.
With a week of recovery and training, Joan Mir is back to physical best after being sapped of energy due to illness at the last round. In 2024, the Spanish GP was one of Mir’s best of the year as he scored in both the Sprint and the Grand Prix. Each round so far in 2025 has seen Mir demonstrate his undeniable speed and determination and with his past success in Andalucia, and a boost from the home fans, the #36 is ready to deliver.
Honda HRC’s efforts will be boosted during the Spanish GP as Aleix Espargaro and the Honda HRC Test Team join the grid as a wildcard.
Monday after the Grand Prix will see the MotoGP class remain in Jerez for the first in-season test of the year. While the Honda HRC Test Team has been busy working away behind the scenes, this will be the first chance for Marini and Mir to experiment with new developments.
Location: Circuito de Jerez
Built in 1986 and hosting its first Grand Prix one year later, the circuit of Jerez is now one of the most popular MotoGP venues and the focal point for a city fanatical about sport. Set in a slight valley in the south of Spain, Jerez is blessed with consistently good weather and beautiful scenery, its numerous grandstands providing the perfect viewing facilities for up to 250,000 spectators. With two alternative road circuits (4,423m and 4,428m), which were resurfaced during 2005, Jerez is a popular venue used by many race teams for testing throughout the year, whilst its recently updated corporate and media facilities have proven to be a popular addition to the complex. Other facilities such as the control tower and pit boxes have also been vastly improved.
We have had a good start to the year and the key point is we have been able to improve throughout each weekend. The bike and I are improving and now we come to Jerez, a track everyone knows a lot and one where everything is very tight between the teams and riders. I am looking forward to seeing what we can do during the weekend and then there is the important test on Monday, our first of the season. Now that we are back in Europe, I think that everything will get a lot more intense, so we need to make sure we are prepared, and everything is planned and ready.
We have had a good start to the year and the key point is we have been able to improve throughout each weekend. The bike and I are improving and now we come to Jerez, a track everyone knows a lot and one where everything is very tight between the teams and riders. I am looking forward to seeing what we can do during the weekend and then there is the important test on Monday, our first of the season. Now that we are back in Europe, I think that everything will get a lot more intense, so we need to make sure we are prepared, and everything is planned and ready.
I have been able to have a good week to recover and train well, I am back to feeling my best. Now we travel to Jerez, the first European race of the year and one where I am sure the home fans will give another boost. All of the pieces are there to have a good weekend, Jerez was one of our strongest weekends last year and we can see that the bike is much better, and I am also riding in a better way. Then after we have the test, so I really think this race has come at a great time for us to return and show our potential.
I have been able to have a good week to recover and train well, I am back to feeling my best. Now we travel to Jerez, the first European race of the year and one where I am sure the home fans will give another boost. All of the pieces are there to have a good weekend, Jerez was one of our strongest weekends last year and we can see that the bike is much better, and I am also riding in a better way. Then after we have the test, so I really think this race has come at a great time for us to return and show our potential.