Honda HRC Castrol Reveals 2026 MotoGP Bike Ahead of Sepang Test

Refreshed RC213V livery marks final 1000cc season and Honda’s 60th year in Grand Prix racing.

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Honda HRC Castrol have officially presented their 2026 MotoGP machine, unveiling a refreshed version of the Honda RC213V that retains the marque’s iconic racing colours while introducing subtle modern updates.

The online launch featured factory riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini, alongside key Honda team figures. Attention now shifts to Sepang International Circuit, where the first official pre-season test of the year will take place.

Honda entered 2026 with renewed optimism after steady progress through 2025. Continuous development from engineers and riders saw the RC213V deliver improved performances compared to recent seasons, signalling a positive trend for the Japanese manufacturer.

Maintaining the same rider pairing is central to the plan. Mir and Marini now begin their third year as team-mates, bringing valuable stability and shared technical understanding of the bike.

The 2026 campaign is also the final season for the current 1000cc RC213V before major regulation changes arrive in 2027. The bike once again carries Honda’s traditional red, blue and white colour scheme, with long-time partner Castrol continuing as title sponsor.

This season also marks 60 years since Honda entered the premier class of Grand Prix racing, a milestone that highlights one of the most successful legacies in the sport, with hundreds of victories and thousands of podiums.

Marini said the team’s progress last year was motivating and stressed the goal of fighting closer to the front: “Everyone in this project has done their homework over the winter. In the last year of the 1000cc we need to finish in a good way and enjoy the beautiful moments along the way.”

Mir emphasised the need for consistency after flashes of speed in 2025: “We showed that both myself and the Honda RC213V have the speed and ability. These pre-season tests will be very important to prepare everything well.”

With a strengthened foundation, improved performance and two experienced riders, Honda HRC Castrol head into 2026 aiming to continue their climb back toward the front of the MotoGP field.