Luca Marini is in favour of Honda Racing Corporation’s acquisition of Aleix Espargaro for its test team in 2025.
The 26-year-old arrived at Honda in 2024 following a three-year stint at Avintia and VR46 Ducati to replace the departing eight-time champion Marc Marquez.
His final year with VR46 Ducati in 2023 saw him finish eighth in the standings with two appearances on the rostrum.
In total contrast, since his arrival at Repsol Honda, proceedings haven’t gone his way, as he has claimed only a single point all season.
In Honda’s bid to restore its bike to its former power, the Japanese outfit obtained Espargaro’s signature to bolster its test team.
Espargaro joined Aprilia in 2017 and took the Italian team from the bottom of the grid to a team capable of winning races and accruing podiums.
With Honda’s present situation the exact same at present time, the Japanese giant calling on the advice of the three-time race winner should provide clarity of where it needs to improve.
Marini vocally supports Honda’s decision to Crash.Net and thinks Espargaro’s knowledge is a useful asset.
“I think that it will be interesting because he was there during all the process of Aprilia growing up and arriving to win,” he said.
“He was the protagonist, so he understands very well the situation. It depends a lot, but for sure it’s a good move from HRC. They did well.”
“For sure it’s interesting to have Aleix for his knowledge of Aprilia, but also if the bike can be good for everybody, it will be a fast bike for sure,” he said.
“Like Ducati now, every rider on the Ducati can win a race or fight for the podium. So the target is this, try to make a perfect bike that everybody can fight for the top with.”
The Italian is optimistic for the future following the news that Honda has changed its philosophy and business model going forward.
“I think that Honda started to change since the beginning of this season. Things are growing and getting better even if the results are the same,” he said.
“You can feel the air inside of the garage. Everybody’s pushing so hard to try to come back and be in a different situation.
“Even by the end of this season, we want to be more [near] the top.”
