Honda HRC Castrol Team Debuts in Indonesia
Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) is proud to announce the launch of the Honda HRC Castrol team, which will compete in the 2025 MotoGP World Championship. This new and exciting partnership brings together two legendary brands with a long history of success in motorcycle racing. Honda and Castrol have worked together for decades, securing numerous championships and race victories. With this collaboration, Castrol reinforces its commitment to performance and innovation, while sharing a deep passion for motorcycle racing.
Honda has an unrivaled legacy in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, boasting an impressive record of 25 premier-class Constructors’ World Championships, 21 premier-class Riders’ World Championships, and 313 premier-class race victories. As Honda heads into the 2025 season, the team remains dedicated to reclaiming its status at the forefront of the sport. The upcoming season is a testament to Honda’s resilience, determination, and unwavering loyalty to its fans, showcasing a renewed commitment to success on the track.
The 2025 season marks a significant milestone for Honda as it embarks on a new era with Castrol as a main partner. As part of the BP group, Castrol will serve as the Honda HRC team’s primary sponsor, providing high-performance lubricants, fuels, and technical support. This collaboration will allow Castrol to develop and test motorcycle lubricants in one of the most extreme race environments, pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation.
The Honda HRC Castrol team will feature a strong rider lineup consisting of double World Champion Joan Mir and six-time Grand Prix winner Luca Marini. Both riders have played a crucial role in the ongoing development of the Honda RC213V and are determined to restore Honda’s dominance in MotoGP.
Joan Mir enters his third season with Honda in MotoGP, embodying the perseverance and skill that led him to two World Championships before turning 25. As the most experienced Honda rider on the grid, Mir is poised to take another step forward in his career. Having secured a two-year contract extension, he and Honda have reaffirmed their mutual commitment to success.
Luca Marini, now in his second year with Honda, has shown remarkable growth and technical acumen. Throughout his 2024 season debut, Marini displayed his ability to adapt and progress steadily, contributing valuable insights to the team. Now, at 27 years old, he enters the 2025 season with an even stronger foundation, eager to continue his upward trajectory and play a crucial role in Honda’s development efforts.
Beyond the fresh livery, the latest iteration of the Honda RC213V continues to evolve with a series of technical enhancements. Over the winter, Honda HRC engineers have been focused on optimizing the bike, making full use of open engine development, test days, and wildcard opportunities. The 2025 model is expected to deliver improved performance, giving the team the competitive edge required to challenge for the championship.
The team’s development efforts will be further supported by seasoned test riders Stefan Bradl, Aleix Espargaro, and Takaaki Nakagami. The Honda HRC Test Team’s role continues to expand, ensuring continuous innovation and refinement of the RC213V throughout the season.
The Honda HRC Castrol team will make its on-track debut at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia during the first pre-season MotoGP test on February 5. The highly anticipated 2025 MotoGP World Championship season will officially commence on March 2 at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, where the Thai Grand Prix will serve as the season opener.
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: “On behalf of Honda HRC, I would like to welcome Castrol to the MotoGP project. HRC and Castrol share a common vision, ambition, and focus on technology and the future. Our past collaborations have yielded great success in various racing categories, making this partnership a natural progression. As we prepare for the 2025 season, our focus remains on achieving success and staying committed to our goals. With Joan Mir and Luca Marini leading the charge, we are confident in our ability to rise to the challenges ahead. Racing is at the heart of Honda, and we are determined to achieve new milestones this season.”
Sandeep Sangwan, Chief Marketing Officer of Castrol, echoed similar sentiments: “Castrol has a rich heritage in motorsport, and we are delighted to partner with Honda for the Honda HRC Castrol motorcycle racing team. As a brand dedicated to performance and technical excellence, we see a natural synergy with Honda’s vision. This partnership provides us with a unique opportunity to engage with motorcycle racing enthusiasts worldwide. We look forward to an exciting 2025 MotoGP season and wish the team great success.”
Team Manager Alberto Puig emphasized the importance of maintaining a focused approach: “As we enter a new season, our objectives remain clear, and we have a well-defined plan to achieve them. Joan Mir, as a double World Champion, knows what is expected of him, and we have full confidence in his abilities. Luca Marini’s steady progress in 2024 was promising, and he must continue on this path. As Honda HRC, our responsibility is to provide the best possible machinery for our riders to compete at the highest level. We are thrilled to welcome Castrol to this project as we work toward achieving our shared ambitions.”
Joan Mir shared his excitement for the new season, saying: “First of all, I have to say that the bike looks amazing. The new colors are a fresh change, and it will be an honor to represent them. This season, our goals are clear—we aim to keep improving the bike, the team, and ourselves. It will be an intense start to the year with back-to-back tests, but this will allow us to get back up to speed quickly. I am eager to see the results of our hard work, especially with our new partners at Castrol onboard.”
Luca Marini also expressed his enthusiasm: “It is incredible to be here in Jakarta, Indonesia, unveiling our new colors. The passion that the fans have for MotoGP and Honda is truly inspiring. From last season, we learned a lot and ended on a strong note. Our objective for 2025 is to keep building on that momentum. Everyone involved in this project is working tirelessly, and I am committed to giving my best on track. We made visible progress last year, and I am confident that we will continue improving in these stunning new colors.”
With the Honda HRC Castrol team set to make its mark in the 2025 MotoGP World Championship, fans around the world eagerly anticipate an exhilarating season ahead. As Honda and Castrol combine their expertise, experience, and passion for racing, they are ready to take on the challenge and aim for victory on the grandest stage of motorcycle racing.
