Honda’s €4.5 million offer aims at Diogo Moreira – not Luca Marini

Written by Aaratrika Gupta, Edited by Morgan Holiday

Credit: Italtrans Racing Team

A Strategic Move in Honda’s Rider Rebuild

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has intensified its efforts to secure a future MotoGP star by offering a multi-year deal reportedly worth €4.5 million to Brazilian Moto2 sensation Diogo Moreira. Contrary to earlier speculation, the lucrative proposal is not targeted at factory rider Luca Marini, who remains firmly in Honda’s plans through at least 2026.

The deal, revealed by Crash.net and Sky Italia, would see Moreira spend an initial season with LCR Honda before graduating to the factory team. The deal is thought to be three-year based with an annual salary of 1.5 million Euros. Betting on young and potentially talented riders is indeed Honda’s strategy in its attempts to rejuvenate the MotoGP through investment on young talents.

Why Honda Wants Moreira

Moreira’s rapid ascent in Moto2 has made him one of the hottest prospects in the paddock. The 21-year-old Brazilian claimed a historic victory at Assen earlier this season and is currently sitting inside the top four of the championship standings. His innate pace, flexibility and race-craft has attracted the attention of a number of manufacturers with Yamaha, Ducati and Aprilia.

Honda’s offer is a clear statement of intent. HRC has been finding it hard to win regularly since Marc Marquez left and it is now seeking a long term rider who learns with the team. The search for young fresh talent might just mean Moreira is a great choice to take Honda to another era, as the imminent 2027 technical regulation modifications will see engines swell to 850cc, and the switch to Pirelli tyres approaches.

Luca Marini’s Future at Honda

Credit: Honda Racing

While Moreira is at the center of Honda’s plans for the future, Marini’s position within the factory squad remains secure. Marini, who moved to Honda in 2024 following a winning season with Ducati VR46 team, has already extended his contract with the factory team till 2026. His high technical suggestions and development ability has seen him become the pinnacle of Honda in their continued hard work to enhance the RC213V.

Marini’s initial season at Honda was not very successful, as the Italian scored only 14 points in 2024. His skill in giving detailed feedback has, however, seen him receive commendation among HRC engineers, and his 2025 results have indicated improvement with each race even though he missed some races due to injury. Marini’s focus on long-term development means he is not being replaced; Honda’s offer to Moreira is meant to complement, not supplant, the existing lineup.

The Role of LCR Honda

According to reports, Moreira would make his MotoGP debut with LCR Honda, replacing Somkiat Chantra, who has struggled to deliver consistent results. Johann Zarco, who was signed by LCR, has been doing good work. He won the Le Mans race, but since Marini has extended his contract, his chances of getting into the factory team have been reduced.

The LCR team has traditionally been a proving ground for Honda’s upcoming factory riders, with the likes of Cal Crutchlow and Alex Rins having developed through its ranks. The same path would be followed by Moreira should he switch to LCR where he would have an opportunity to adjust to a MotoGP bike, as he would be getting ready to get a factory call in the future.

Caution from Moreira’s Advisors

Despite the substantial offer, Moreira’s camp is reportedly approaching the deal with caution. Concerns have been raised about the competitiveness of Honda’s machinery and the challenges of starting his MotoGP career in a satellite team that has historically struggled against Ducati’s and KTM’s factory-backed bikes.

Some advisors have warned that LCR could be a “sporting tomb” for a young rider if Honda’s performance issues persist. Moreira is also believed to have alternative options, with Yamaha and Ducati monitoring his situation closely. A transfer to Yamaha may be complicated by the current deals of the team with such riders as Fabio Quartararo and Rins, but Ducati has already demonstrated itself to be a good choice in this regard, investing in the career of youthful racers.

Honda’s Long-Term Vision

Honda’s pursuit of Moreira is part of a larger strategy to rebuild its MotoGP dominance. Having Joan Mir as the only rider who is definitively announced beyond 2025, HRC is aiming at establishing a balanced grid, and it wants to combine new talents and already proven riders. With Moreira, it would be a serious change in the sense of long term planning and the job would be to make a champion out of nothing instead of counting only with the established stars.

The manufacturer is also keeping tabs on other superstars of tomorrow and beyond such as Jorge Martand and WSBK superstar, Toprak Razgatlioglu. Such possible changes, along with the new technical direction, might become the start of the new era in MotoGP with Honda.

Offering Diogo Moreira an amount of €4.5 million is a gamble that also shows that Honda believes in the new breed of motorcycle talent. Although Luca Marini is already a critical component of the lineup in the factory at the moment, Brazilian rider arrival may mark the beginning of a new era in terms of Honda competitiveness. Whichever route Moreira chooses to take (MotoGP or otherwise), his choice will mark the rider marketplace in years to come-and may set a course on how Honda makes it through the fields of a new MotoGP era.