Honda unveils retro Japanese GP livery for RC213V’s final home race

Summary

Honda’s special livery recreates the silver, red and yellow colours of the RC181.
Luca Marini and Somkiat Chantra will use the design at the Japanese GP.
The tribute marks 60 years since Honda entered the premier class and the RC213V’s final Japanese Grand Prix.

Honda has unveiled a retro livery for the Japanese MotoGP Grand Prix, bringing the colours of its first premier-class motorcycle back to Motegi for the RC213V’s final home appearance.

The factory machines of Luca Marini and Somkiat Chantra will carry a design inspired by the RC181, which introduced Honda to the 500cc world championship in 1966. The tribute combines two milestones: the 60th anniversary of that debut and the approaching end of the RC213V era.

Silver and red replace Honda’s usual colours

The commemorative design features silver bodywork, red sections and yellow number panels, recalling the motorcycles raced by Mike Hailwood and Jim Redman in the 1960s.

Honda has also incorporated its current commercial partners into the historical theme. Castrol and Michelin appear with period-style logos, allowing the team to retain its sponsorship commitments while extending the retro appearance beyond the motorcycle’s principal colours.

The reveal adds a visual centrepiece to Honda’s home weekend. Motegi brings the racing operation together with engineers, employees, partners and supporters from Japan, making the event a particularly significant occasion for the manufacturer.

MotoGP 2026 Japão Motegi Quinta Honda — Honda’s special livery recreates the silver, red and yellow colours of the RC181 (Photo: Simon Patterson)

The RC181 began Honda’s premier-class story

The RC181 won five of the nine races in its debut season, with Hailwood taking three victories and Redman winning twice. Honda secured the manufacturers’ championship, although Hailwood finished runner-up to Giacomo Agostini in the riders’ standings.

Hailwood again finished second in 1967, this time level on points with Agostini. Across those two seasons, the RC181 won ten of the 19 races contested, establishing the machine as an important chapter in Honda’s racing history.

Why this is the RC213V’s final Japanese GP

Honda will replace the RC213V with the RC214V for the new technical era in 2027. This weekend therefore represents the current model’s last Japanese Grand Prix, rather than its final race of the season.

The historical colours will be raced by Marini and Chantra, who is substituting for Joan Mir at Motegi. Honda confirmed the revised factory line-up in its pre-event announcement.

Fans can check the complete Japanese MotoGP schedule, including the Sprint and race start times and the viewing options for the UK, US, India, Australia and Canada.

MotoGP returns this weekend, from 2–4 October, in Japan. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action at Motegi.

MotoGP today: FAQ

What time does Japanese MotoGP practice start?

FP1 begins on Friday, 2 October, at 10:45 in Japan, 02:45 BST in the UK, 07:15 IST in India and 11:45 AEST in Sydney and Melbourne. In North America, it starts on Thursday at 21:45 EDT in New York and Toronto, or 18:45 PDT in Los Angeles and Vancouver. Friday’s session deciding direct Q2 entry begins at 15:00 in Japan.

Is Red Bull returning to Honda in MotoGP?

Yes. Honda has confirmed that Red Bull will return as a partner of its factory MotoGP programme from 2027. Their previous partnership ran from 2015 to 2023. The reunion coincides with Fabio Quartararo’s arrival and the championship’s switch to 850cc bikes.

Is Maverick Viñales racing at the Japanese MotoGP?

Yes. Viñales is returning at Motegi after an absence caused by his shoulder injury. Ahead of the weekend, he questioned KTM’s intentions towards him and revealed that he had thought he might not race again this season.