Following a period of intense speculation and discussions regarding a potential new satellite team backed by Thai oil company PTT, Honda has officially put all rumors to rest by confirming its rider lineup. According to reports from Speedweek, initial plans considered during May to shift the struggling rider to a newly formed satellite setup were ultimately shelved. The Japanese manufacturer has chosen to maintain its current structure, ensuring technical and managerial stability as they develop their production-based racing machine for future campaigns.
The journey for the major motorcycle manufacturer in the Superbike World Championship has faced numerous challenges over the past decade since Nicky Hayden last secured a victory in the rain at Sepang. After a disastrous start to the season marked by injuries for both Jake Dixon and Somkiat Chantra, recent rounds have finally brought positive momentum. During the Cremona event, both factory-supported riders successfully finished inside the points in both main races for the first time this season, providing a much-needed morale boost for the engineering crew.
Continuity has emerged as the guiding principle for HRC management as they prepare for the upcoming competitive landscape. The decision to retain the existing roster reinforces the commitment to long-term development rather than short-term shake-ups. The young Thai rider previously impressed management during his substitute appearance at the Suzuka Eight Hours and demonstrated solid adaptability when stepping in as a replacement rider in the premier Grand Prix paddock, outperforming several regular competitors.
Expressing his satisfaction regarding the contract extension for the upcoming season, Somkiat Chantra shared his enthusiasm for the ongoing learning curve with the machinery. I am very happy to race another season with Honda in WorldSBK, said the rider. This year has been a challenge with a new championship, a new motorcycle, and many unfamiliar tracks, but step by step I have gained experience and a better understanding of the CBR1000RR-R SP, and I am highly motivated to achieve stronger results in 2027.
Echoing these sentiments, HRC Managing Director Taichi Honda emphasized the untapped potential within the current technical package. We believe there is still significant potential to develop together, and the continuity of our rider lineup will be important as HRC continues to strengthen our WorldSBK project, he stated. With the rider lineup now firmly established, engineering efforts can remain entirely focused on extracting maximum performance from the motorcycle ahead of the battles against rival manufacturers.
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