Jonathan Rea Satisfied with Suzuka 8 Hours Prep

Jonathan Rea says he is satisfied with Honda’s preparation for the 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours after completing the final two-day test.

Rea has joined Takumi Takahashi, a seven-time Suzuka 8 Hours winner, and Honda factory WorldSBK rider Somkiat Chantra for this year’s edition of the Japanese endurance race. The line-up gives Honda a strong structure for one of the most significant endurance events on the calendar.

Weather conditions brought rain on the second day of testing, giving Rea the chance to understand the tyres and the bike in wet conditions. He said that variation was valuable preparation before Friday qualifying and Sunday’s race.

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“I’m satisfied with our work during these two days,” Rea said after the Wednesday test.

“It is the first Suzuka 8 Hours for Chantra, but we have been sharing the bike and all three riders have shown good pace.”

“The weather conditions were different today, but I was happy because I was able to understand the tyres and the bike in the wet conditions. No matter what weather we have on Sunday, we will at least be prepared for both conditions.”

Rea also praised the internal dynamic inside the Honda garage. He highlighted Chantra’s step-by-step progress and said his own experience could help provide input on the bike, conditions and circuit as the Thai rider prepares for his first Suzuka 8 Hours.

“Chantra is doing a really good job. Step-by-step he has been getting faster and he was very impressive this morning.”

“Of course, whenever I can, I try to help him because I have good experience and this is his first time at Suzuka 8 Hours. He has all the talent to be fast, but sometimes I can give some input about the bike, the conditions or the circuit.”

Rea described Takahashi as the most successful Suzuka rider in history and praised his pace in both wet and dry conditions. Honda’s focus is now centred on its own garage rather than reading rival performance, with teams running different strategies during testing.

“Here we are one team. We work as a family because everybody has the same goal. As for the rest of the field, I am not thinking too much about the other teams because we have enough to focus on inside our own garage.”

The final test gives Honda an important technical platform before the 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours, especially after collecting data in both wet and dry conditions. If the same working rhythm continues, Rea believes Honda has a solid base for qualifying and the main race.