Honda HRC Clinches Fourth Consecutive Victory at 46th Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race
Honda’s factory motorcycle racing team, Honda HRC, achieved a landmark triumph by winning the 46th edition of the “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race, held at Japan’s renowned Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture on Sunday, August 3, 2025. The team, comprised of veteran Japanese rider Takumi Takahashi and French MotoGP star Johann Zarco, piloted the CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE SP to victory under the banner of the 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship.
This win marked Honda HRC’s fourth consecutive victory at Suzuka’s premier motorcycle endurance event and the manufacturer’s 31st win overall, reinforcing Honda’s dominance at one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world. For Takahashi, the victory represents his seventh career win at the Suzuka 8 Hours, further extending his all-time record for the most victories at the event. Zarco also added to his growing endurance racing accolades with his second consecutive win.
Dominance from Qualifying to Finish
The Honda HRC team showcased its strength early in the race weekend by topping the timesheets during the qualifying session on Friday, August 1. Their performance earned them a place in the Top 10 Trial on Saturday, a shootout among the fastest qualifiers to determine final grid positions. In that session, Johann Zarco delivered a blistering lap of 2 minutes and 4.290 seconds, setting a new Suzuka 8 Hours lap record and securing pole position for the team.
When the race kicked off at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday under intense summer heat, it was Takahashi who took the helm as the lead rider for the fourth consecutive year. Launching off the line with precision, he secured the holeshot but temporarily ceded the lead before reclaiming it by Lap 14. From that point onward, Honda HRC never looked back.
Takahashi and Zarco executed alternating stints throughout the eight-hour race, maintaining consistent pace, minimizing errors, and leveraging Honda’s legendary fuel efficiency. Strategic pit stops—only seven in total, fewer than many rivals—combined with flawless coordination from the pit crew, enabled the team to build and maintain a one-lap lead over the field by the race’s midpoint.
Closing Challenges and Team Resilience
The latter half of the race was not without drama. Two safety car deployments in the final stages temporarily erased much of Honda HRC’s hard-earned lead. However, the team responded with tactical precision. Takahashi’s extended stint following the first safety car gave Zarco extra recovery time between runs. When Zarco returned to the bike, he maintained composure and pace, ultimately crossing the finish line at 7:30 p.m. after completing 217 laps, securing Honda HRC’s historic win.
Post-Race Reflections
After the grueling contest, both riders expressed exhaustion but also immense pride in their accomplishment.
“I’m glad it went smoothly,” said Takahashi. “It was a last-minute decision to compete with only two riders, and I knew it would be tough. I’m so exhausted. Toward the end, Johann looked tired, so I focused on doing my best to hand him the bike in good shape. I’d like to thank him and the whole team for this amazing victory.”
Zarco echoed the sentiment, saying, “I’m tired, just like Takumi. The race was difficult, especially recovering between stints. But thanks to the timing of the safety car, I was able to regain some rhythm and control the gap. After dusk, I enjoyed the ride and the scenery. Takumi is incredibly strong and consistent. I don’t want to do a two-rider team again, but I’m proud of what we achieved today.”
Leadership Praise
Team manager Teruaki Matsubara praised the riders and the entire crew, stating, “This was an outstanding result. Everyone gave it their all, and the pit stops were once again the fastest. Everything came together perfectly, and the entire experience was truly rewarding.”
Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), also commended the team’s perseverance and success under pressure.
“Takahashi achieved an incredible milestone with his seventh Suzuka win, and Zarco showed true dedication. I’m deeply grateful to our riders, team staff, sponsors, and especially the fans who supported us. HRC remains committed to delivering exciting racing and top performance,” Watanabe said.
