Team HRC wins its third consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours

Honda secures its 30th win in the FIM Endurance World Championship’s iconic Suzuka 8 Hours, thanks to Team HRC and standout performances by Takahashi, Nagoe, and Zarco. 

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Team HRC with Japan Post achieved their third consecutive win at the 45th Coca-Cola Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race on Sunday, marking Honda’s 30th triumph in Japan’s round of the FIM Endurance World Championship.

Starting from third on the grid, lead rider Takumi Takahashi advanced halfway through his first stint. Teammates Teppei Nagoe and MotoGP star Johann Zarco kept the lead, finishing ahead of Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team and Suzuki-powered Yoshimura SERT Motul. Despite a 40-second penalty for a pitstop error, Team HRC’s final margin was a narrow 7.860 seconds, adding tension as night fell.

Zarco, celebrating his first Suzuka appearance with a win, remarked, “It’s a big relief and satisfaction. I’ve been very impressed by Takumi’s pace and Teppei’s progress from the test to the race. All three riders were essential for this win due to the heat and energy control required.”

YART Yamaha, who came to Japan trailing Yoshimura SERT Motul by one point in the 2024 championship standings, now heads back to Austria with a six-point lead. The team gained points for winning Saturday’s Top 10 Trial and achieving their first Suzuka podium, thanks to riders Niccolò Canepa, Marvin Fritz, and Karel Hanika.

Canepa initially led after overtaking early frontrunner Markus Reiterberger of the BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team but faced difficulties due to a soft-compound front tyre choice amid nearly 60-degree track temperatures.

The frantic opening hour saw frequent position changes among Ducati Team Kagayama’s Ryo Mizuno, Takahashi’s #30 entry, and Canepa’s #1 bike. Despite a delay when Hafizh Syahrin struggled to restart the Panigale V4R during the first pitstops, Ducati Team Kagayama engaged in an exciting battle for third with Yoshimura SERT Motul, which was only resolved in the final 30 minutes.

Albeit a ride-through penalty for a pitstop error, Japan’s Cocoro Atsumi delivered a spectacular final stint to secure third place, joining teammates Dan Linfoot and Moto2 rider Albert Arenas on the podium.

Suzuka 8 Hours Results

1. Team HRC (Honda) – 08:01:29.693

2. YART Yamaha (Yamaha) – 08:01:37.553

3. Yoshimura SERT Motul (Suzuki) – 08:01:37.618

4. Ducati Team Kagayama (Ducati) – 08:02:14.011

5. BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team (BMW) – 08:02:09.142