Luca Marini sustained multiple injuries after the factory Honda MotoGP rider’s ‘heavy’ crash while testing for the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hour on Wednesday and remains in hospital.
The 27-year-old had travelled directly to the legendary Japanese circuit, which Honda owns, from last week’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Marini took part in the test to help Honda assess his suitability to feature in the factory HRC line-up for the Suzuka 8 Hour this August.
Marini was under consideration to represent Honda in the Suzuka 8 Hour alongside Takumi Takahashi and fellow MotoGP rider, Johann Zarco of LCR. But the Italian crashed at the start of the second day of testing and was transferred to a local hospital where he was stabilised.
Honda confirmed in a statement that Marini ‘crashed heavily’ at Suzuka and will now stay in Japan under observation until the Urbino native is fit to travel. He has suffered a number of injuries, including a pneumothorax and the punctured lung prevents him from flying home.
Marini also sustained damage to the ligaments in his left knee, fractures in the sternum and left collarbone and a dislocated left hip. He will now face an unclear period on the sidelines, but Honda have not yet confirmed a deputy for the MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix on June 6-8.
Luca Marini’s plans to secure his MotoGP future at Honda change after his Suzuka crash
Aprilia MotoGP rider Jorge Martin has messaged Marini after his crash at Suzuka to wish the Honda pilot well amid his own recovery from a punctured lung. Martin crashed in the Qatar Grand Prix and is still to return after suffering what was upgraded to a hemopneumothorax.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Luca Marini from his net worth to half-brother
The Spaniard also suffered 11 broken ribs and is unlikely to return before July. Marini’s crash at Suzuka may hold consequences for his future, as well, as the Italian is out of contract with Honda after the 2025 MotoGP season and wanted to use the endurance race to aid his case.
That is according to AS, which reports Marini hoped to convince Honda to include him in the factory HRC team for the 2025 Suzuka 8 Hour to strengthen Valentino Rossi’s half-brother’s ties with the Japanese crew. But Marini’s crash ‘completely changed’ his plans for the future.
Marini saw the Suzuka 8 Hour as a way to demonstrate his commitment to Honda and boost his bond with the manufacturer’s management. He is currently the second-best Honda rider in the 2025 MotoGP championship on 38 points, trailing LCR’s Zarco who boasts 97 points.
Luca Marini could see Johann Zarco or Jorge Martin replace him at Honda in 2026
Honda will likely need to call up one of their official MotoGP test riders to replace Marini in the next few rounds due to his crash at Suzuka. Aleix Espargaro has already appeared in two rounds of the 2025 MotoGP campaign as a wildcard and Takaaki Nakagami has entered one.
But the impact of his crash while testing for the Suzuka 8 Hours on Marini’s future at Honda in MotoGP will be of greater concern than his temporary replacement. Honda are willing to double Martin’s Aprilia salary now the Spaniard has activated the exit clause in his contract.
Martin is also not the only rider who could take Marini’s seat, as Honda could demote Joan Mir to LCR to promote Zarco with the Frenchman outshining all other riders on the RC213V this term. Zarco won the French Grand Prix, but Marini has not finished higher than eighth.
