Honda HRC Castrol Reveal 2026 Colors

The Honda HRC Castrol livery is the final reveal for 2026 pre-season and it remains a stunner, with a few small tweaks updating it for the year ahead. Joan Mir and Luca Marini took on starring roles in the online presentation on February 2 alongside Honda and team management, setting the stage for the official track action to begin on Tuesday at the Official Sepang Test.

A year on from the debut of the Honda HRC Castrol team, Honda’s factory effort has gone from strength to strength in a rapid turnaround in fortunes. Tireless work by Honda HRC’s engineers, partners and riders throughout 2025 saw the Honda RC213V earn its best performance since 2019. Consistency is again the key as Marini and Mir enter their third year together inside the factory team, the pairing now a proven combination and offering a holistic approach to racing.

The Honda RC213V will enter its final year of competition – with the regulations changing in 2027 – proudly wearing the iconic tricolore of Honda HRC again. Red represents passion for racing, Blue represents the quest for technical excellence and White for motorsports fans. These colours further unify and strengthen Honda HRC’s presence across the top levels of two-wheeled motorsport and distinguish the Factory Teams. The design is bolstered once more by the presence of the striking appearance of title partner Castrol.

2026 also marks the 60th anniversary of Honda’s entry into MotoGP – the 500cc RC181 starting a lineage which has led to the 1,000cc RC213V. The historic year will be punctuated with several celebrations to commemorate the 314 Premier Class wins and more than 2,300 podiums across all classes that Honda currently have to their name.

Luca Marini: “It’s a pleasure to begin another season with Honda HRC Castrol. The progress we showed in 2025 was incredibly rewarding and all winter I have been working to improve myself and begin this new season in 2026. Our objectives are clear: to be there fighting near the front and take full advantage of any and all opportunities which are presented to us. Everyone in this project has done their homework over the winter and I am itching to get back on the Honda RC213V and ride again. In the last year of the 1,000cc we need to finish in a good way and enjoy the beautiful moments along the way.”

Joan Mir: “Another beautiful bike that I am proud to ride, being part of Honda HRC Castrol is something very special. In 2026 we need to find the consistency we struggled with last year, we showed that both myself and the Honda RC213V have the speed and ability to make Honda HRC proud. These two pre-seasons test will be very important to prepare everything well for the start of the year, I am certain that all the Honda HRC engineers have been working diligently during the winter. There is no time to wait around, we need to be working from the first lap to achieve our maximum and return Honda HRC to where it belongs.”

Alberto Puig: “The DNA of this company is racing. What prevails, what finally is going to make the direction is the passion to win and the passion for racing that this company has shown throughout history. The foundation of Honda for 2026 is what we’ve done in 2025, there were solid developments on the technical side, and both riders were able to make progress. Marini’s consistency was crucial in graduating to a new Concession Rank and Mir was able to show his talent as a champion with two great podiums.”

Koji Watanabe, Honda Racing Corporation CEO: “It is a pleasure to help reveal the 2026 Honda HRC Castrol team and highlight our global effort to return to the top of the MotoGP World Championship. It’s a special year for Honda HRC as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of our first participation in the premier class, we are looking forward to commemorating this historic moment throughout 2026. Everyone in this team plays their part, as do all of our partners and I want to deeply thank everyone involved in the progress we made in 2025. Our target for this season is clear; we must continue on the trajectory we had and consistently battle at the front. Luca Marini has shown a steady hand and a keen technical mind with Joan Mir’s determination and resilience inspiring us all. I would also like to commend Castrol for their efforts as our partnership continues to strengthen.”

credit: MotoGP