The MotoGP grid for the 2025 season is in the process of being defined, and Honda is at a key moment to make important decisions. With the recent renewals of riders such as Fabio Di Giannantonio, who has secured his future with VR46 and Ducati for the next two seasons, attention is now focused on Honda, which could be the next manufacturer to confirm changes to its rider roster.
Currently, Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) and Johann Zarco (Castrol LCR Honda) already have contracts in force with their respective teams within the Honda structure for the next season. In addition, during the summer break, Honda secured the continuity of Joan Mir in the Repsol Honda Team until 2026. However, the mystery of who will be the second rider of the LCR Honda team has yet to be resolved.
Takaaki Nakagami, currently competing in his seventh season in MotoGP with the IDEMITSU Honda LCR team, is one of the leading candidates to fill that spot. Nakagami has been a mainstay in the team’s structure over the years, but his current contract expires at the end of this season, leaving open the possibility of another rider taking his place.
In recent weeks, other names have emerged as potential contenders for that vacancy. Among them is Ai Ogura, a young Japanese rider who has been widely regarded as a promising option for Honda HRC. However, recent talks have indicated that Ogura could be very close to a deal with Aprilia Trackhouse, leaving his future with Honda in doubt.
Another name that has gained strength after the summer break is that of the Thai Somkiat Chantra, who has proven to be a consistent and hard-working rider, values highly appreciated by the Japanese brand, to which he has been linked since 2019 in the Moto2 category.
Lucio Cecchinello will soon announce whether Somkiat Chantra will be chosen
In a recent interview with DAZN during the British GP, LCR Honda team principal Lucio Cecchinello addressed the situation candidly. In those remarks, he revealed that the decision on who will be Zarco’s teammate in 2025 should be made shortly, ideally before the next Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, scheduled for August 16-18. Cecchinello commented that “Ogura was the number one choice for Honda HRC, and now I know they are considering Nakagami and are in talks with Chantra«.
Lucio also mentioned that the selected rider will probably be Nakagami or some other Asian rider, in line with Honda’s policies of maintaining an international profile, but with a focus on the Asian market.
In the coming weeks, LCR Honda’s final decision is expected to be announced, thus closing one of the last chapters of the MotoGP transfer market for the 2025 season.
