Honda delivered a surprising statement of intent on the opening day of the French Grand Prix after emerging as the pace-setter in both dry practice sessions at Le Mans.
The impressive showing has raised hopes that the RC213V may finally be making meaningful progress after several difficult seasons in MotoGP.
Factory rider Luca Marini topped the opening practice session before home favourite Johann Zarco took over in Practice 2 with a fastest lap of 1m29.907s. Zarco narrowly edged out Fabio Di Giannantonio by just 0.01 seconds in one of Honda’s strongest Friday performances in recent years.
The encouraging signs did not stop there. Joan Mir also showed competitive pace by finishing fifth, only 0.185 seconds behind Zarco. Having two Honda riders comfortably inside the top five in dry conditions marked a rare and significant moment for the manufacturer.
Although Marini and rookie Diogo Moreira failed to secure direct places in Q2, the overall pace across the Honda camp suggested clear improvements with the bike.
Zarco credited recent development work for the sudden step forward. According to the French rider, a productive post-race test in Jerez helped Honda better understand how to maximise the RC213V’s strengths, particularly under braking and corner entry.
He explained that rider confidence with the front end had improved noticeably compared to last season, especially in Le Mans’ heavy braking zones.
Mir shared a similar view and pointed to the Bugatti Circuit’s high grip conditions as an important factor. The 2020 world champion admitted Honda still struggles more on low-grip tracks, but said the strong front-end feeling at Le Mans allowed riders to push with greater confidence.
Despite the positive results, Marini remained cautious about Honda’s long-term competitiveness. He acknowledged that the team has improved through smaller upgrades and refinements, but believes further development is still needed to consistently challenge at the front.
Even so, Honda’s performance on Friday has already become one of the biggest talking points of the weekend. After spending recent seasons battling near the back of the grid, the Japanese manufacturer suddenly looks capable of fighting much closer to the front at Le Mans.
