Honda confirms star-studded Suzuka 8 Hours line-up

2 days ago 10

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Rea returns as Honda chases five straight at Suzuka

Honda has confirmed its headline rider line-up for the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship “Coca-Cola” Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Road Race 47th Tournament, which will take place at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture on Sunday, July 5.

Honda HRC will again carry the factory flag, with Takumi Takahashi, Johann Zarco and Jonathan Rea named for the #30 CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. The trio gives Honda a formidable blend of Suzuka experience, MotoGP speed and WorldSBK pedigree as the brand targets a fifth consecutive victory in Japan’s most prestigious endurance race.

Suzuka has long been a key part of Honda’s racing story. The marque has won the event a record 31 times, including the past four editions from 2022 through 2025, while the modern Honda HRC run has coincided with Takahashi further establishing himself as the most successful rider in Suzuka 8 Hours history.

Honda’s 2025 victory, achieved by Takahashi and Zarco as a two-rider combination, was Honda’s 31st overall Suzuka 8 Hours win and Honda HRC’s fourth on the trot.

Takahashi claimed his fourth consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours victory last year, extending his individual record to seven wins. He now returns to lead the factory effort again, chasing an eighth personal Suzuka success and a fifth straight victory with Honda HRC.

Takumi Takahashi

“I will compete in the Suzuka 8 Hours again this year as a member of Honda HRC. For me, it is also an opportunity to challenge for a fifth consecutive victory, and it is a great honour as a rider to stand on such a stage. This year, I will compete alongside Zarco, my winning partner from last year, and Rea, a WSBK champion rider, in a strong three-rider line-up. I will do my best to achieve a fifth consecutive victory, and I hope everyone will continue to give Honda HRC their passionate support.”

Zarco, currently competing in MotoGP with CASTROL Honda LCR, will chase a third consecutive Suzuka 8 Hours victory. The Frenchman was part of Honda’s winning line-up in 2024 before sharing victory with Takahashi in 2025, when the factory Honda squad completed 217 laps to defeat Yamaha Racing Team and Yoshimura SERT Motul.

Johann Zarco

“I am truly happy to return to the Suzuka 8 Hours again this year as a member of Honda HRC. Winning last year’s eight-hour race was a special honour for me, and I will give everything I have again this year to aim for the top step of the podium. In addition to Takumi, Rea, a highly experienced and reliable rider, will join us as a new teammate this year. I am confident that we can become an even stronger team. I look forward to seeing everyone at Suzuka.”

Rea’s return adds another major storyline. The six-time WorldSBK Champion is currently serving as a Honda HRC test rider in WorldSBK and returns to the Suzuka 8 Hours for the first time since 2022. Rea already has two Suzuka 8 Hours victories to his name, including Kawasaki’s most recent win in 2019 alongside Leon Haslam and Toprak Razgatlioglu. The Northern Irishman took his first Suzuka win with Honda in 2012 alongside Kousuke Akiyoshi and Tadayuki Okada.

Jonathan Rea

“I am sincerely happy to return once again to this historic eight-hour endurance race as a Honda HRC rider. I am also proud to compete as part of a team that has achieved the outstanding feat of four consecutive victories. lthough it has been some time since I last competed in an eight-hour race, there is no doubt about the potential of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP at Suzuka Circuit. Together with Takumi and Zarco, I will give everything to take victory.”

Honda HRC promotional graphic for the 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours showing three factory riders above two #30 Honda Fireblade race bikes with Suzuka 8 Hours 2026 branding.

Honda’s full list of main teams entered for the 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours also includes F.C.C. TSR Honda France, Astemo Pro Honda SI Racing, Honda HRC, Team ATJ with NTT docomo Business and SDG Team HARC-PRO.