Honda HRC Castrol officially unveiled its striking new 2025 MotoGP livery marking a significant transition in its branding strategy.
The launch event held in Jakarta, Indonesia marks a monumental shift for the Japanese manufacturer as it enters a new era of racing with Castrol as its title sponsor, ending a historic 30-year partnership with Repsol.
The Honda HRC Castrol team launch featured factory riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini showcasing the Honda RC213V, symbolizing a fresh start for the team after a challenging 2024 season.
Their 2025 MotoGP livery features bold colors – striking red, white, and blue design – which diverge sharply from the traditional orange associated with the previous title sponsor.
Castrol, a brand with deep roots in motorsport dating back to its collaboration with Honda at the Isle of Man TT in 1959, now steps into the spotlight to take Repsol’s place on the new livery, reflecting the team’s commitment to revitalizing its performance and image.
The new partnership brings not only a new visual identity but also technical expertise in lubricants and fuels that will be critical to Honda’s pursuit of success in the upcoming season.
Honda HRC Castrol enters 2025 with an illustrious history that includes 25 premier class Constructors’ World Championships, 21 Riders’ World Championships, and an unmatched record of 313 premier class wins.
However, recent years have been marked by struggles that have left fans yearning for a return to form. The 2024 MotoGP campaign was a difficult one for Honda, culminating in last place in the constructors’ standings with just 75 points.
Factory riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini struggled throughout the year, finishing 21st and 22nd in the riders’ standings, respectively. LCR’s Johann Zarco managed the brand’s best result—a modest eighth-place finish at a rain-soaked Thai MotoGP.
These results underscored Honda’s broader struggles, marking their third winless season in five years.
As such, the unveiling of the Honda HRC Castrol MotoGP Team represents more than just a change in aesthetics; it is a statement of intent to reclaim its position as a dominant force in the premier class motorcycle championship.
Besides unveiling the striking 2025 MotoGP livery, Honda has also made significant structural changes ahead of the new season to address its recent struggles. Most notably Romano Albesiano has been appointed as Technical Director.
Albesiano is credited with transforming Aprilia from an underperforming team into race winners during his tenure. His expertise is expected to play a pivotal role in improving the performance of Honda’s RC213V.
Additionally, three-time Grand Prix winner Aleix Espargaro has joined Honda’s test team following his retirement from full-time racing. Espargaro’s extensive experience will be instrumental in refining the bike’s development alongside Stefan Bradl.
The launch event also highlighted Castrol’s role as more than just a sponsor. The company will provide cutting-edge lubricants and fuels tailored specifically for MotoGP’s demanding environment.
Sandeep Sangwan, Chief Marketing Officer at Castrol, emphasized their shared values with Honda: “Castrol has a strong legacy in motorsport, and we see this partnership as an opportunity to connect more closely with motorcycle racing fans while supporting Honda’s quest for success.”
Honda HRC Castrol’s preparations for the 2025 MotoGP season are already underway. The team recently participated in shakedown tests at Sepang and will continue pre-season testing from February 5-7 in Malaysia before heading to Thailand on February 12-13.
These sessions will be critical for evaluating updates made to the RC213V over the winter and ensuring that both riders are ready for the season opener at Buriram from February 28 to March 2.
Meanwhile, Honda’s satellite team LCR Honda will unveil its 2025 MotoGP livery on February 8th ahead of the first test session of the year.
