Luca Marini is confident that he will sign a new deal with Honda HRC Castrol for the 2026 MotoGP season.

In recent months, there has been doubt cast over Luca Marini's future with Honda and in the MotoGP World Championship.

The Italian rider signed for Honda in 2024 on a two-year deal that will expire at the end of the 2025 season.

Despite a relatively positive start to the 2025 season, speculation arose over Marini's future due to the sudden announcement that Jorge Martin would leave Aprilia at the end of the year.

During the same time period, Marini was away from the MotoGP paddock as he was recovering from injuries that he sustained in a crash while testing for the Suzuka 8 Hours.

However, Martin has now backtracked on his initial statement and revealed, in a separate press conference to Marini, that he will remain with Aprilia in 2026.

With the reigning MotoGP World Champion now staying put, Marini is confident that he will renew with the Honda HRC Castrol squad for 2026.

"In reality, we were always close," Luca Marini said in the Thursday press conference at the Czech Republic Grand Prix.

"We were just talking about details in this period, but every time with Alberto [Puig] and all the Japanese management, I have a really good relationship.

"We know from the beginning what would be the future for next season, so it’s just a matter of time but we are happy."

Heading into the Czech Republic Grand Prix, Marini was 15th in the MotoGP World Championship after securing his best result with Honda at the German Grand Prix a week ago.