Jonathan Rea Feels Pressure in Honda Return at Jerez 2026

WorldSBK, Sportrik Media - Jonathan Rea returned to a Honda WorldSBK machine for the first time since 2014 during the 2026 Jerez WorldSBK Test, beginning his new role with Honda HRC at the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto.

Rea’s comeback came against the backdrop of a serious knee injury that ended his full-time racing career at last season’s finale. Still short of full fitness, the six-time WorldSBK champion focused on initial data gathering and understanding the base characteristics of the Honda CBR1000RR-R, with track conditions largely compromised by intermittent rain.

“Honestly, I wish I could say my knee was a lot better, but I felt quite uncomfortable on the bike from the first laps,” Rea told WorldSBK.com.

“I still need more time to be 100 percent fit, but it was really nice to get my first sensations of the CBR. That feeling of going down the back straight, full gas, was something I had been missing.”

Rea’s running was limited by weather interruptions across the official test days. He completed 25 laps during an additional session available to test riders before continuing on a gradually drying track on the final day. The approach underlined Honda’s priority of building a clear technical reference before introducing major development items.

“It’s about step by step understanding the bike. The first thing I have to do is understand its potential and how close I can ride it to the limit before testing any big items,” Rea explained.

With approximately 50 laps completed in total, Rea acknowledged that his contribution remains at an early stage. The #65 Honda ended the damp final day with the tenth-fastest time, a result that reflected testing circumstances rather than outright performance expectations.

“With 50 laps on the bike, I’m still nowhere near where we need to be,” he said.

“But I have a positive feeling. The bike gave me a lot of good sensations – sensations I’ve been missing for some time.”

Beyond his technical role, Rea also provided support to new Honda WorldSBK rider Jake Dixon, who finished the test 13th overall. The absence of fellow rookie Somkiat Chantra due to arm injuries further elevated the importance of Rea’s experience in shaping Honda’s development direction as the 2026 WorldSBK pre-season progresses.