MotoGP: Luca Marini suffers multiple injuries in Suzuka 8 hours test crash

Luca Marini has been hospitalised in Japan following a crash during a test at Suzuka ahead of the iconic Suzuka 8 Hours endurance event in August.

Marini, as well as fellow Honda rider Johann Zarco, flew straight to Japan following the conclusion of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone to take part in the test alongside Takumi Takahashi and Teppei Nagoe. It’s believed Marini was under consideration to join Zarco and the rest of the endurance team for the historic race later this year.

Riding the Fireblade, Marini is said to have enjoyed a successful first day onboard the Superbike on Tuesday, but suffered a huge crash the following day. Marini suffered multiple serious injuries, including a dislocated left hip, a collapsed lung and ligament damage in his left knee.

“On Wednesday, May 28, Luca Marini suffered a heavy fall while testing for the Suzuka 8-Hour and will remain in Japan for observation and recovery,” A statement from HRC said. “After the British GP, Luca Marini travelled to the Suzuka Circuit for a first test on the CBR1000RR-R SP.

“Having completed a successful first day, the Italian began the second day of his program but crashed heavily. Suffering from a dislocated left hip, damage to the ligaments in his left knee, fractures in the sternum and left collarbone, and a right-sided pneumothorax, Marini was transferred to local hospital and stabilised.

“Marini will remain under observation in Japan until he is deemed fit to travel. Honda HRC and the Honda HRC Castrol team will support Marini fully in his recovery.”

Marini has enjoyed a positive start of the 2025 MotoGP season as the RC213V riders continue to make progress. Whilst yet to reach the same height as Zarco (LCR Honda, one victory and one further podium), the Italian has scored 38 points with a best result of eighth. Marini is 13^th overall after seven rounds.

The incident has come at a bad time for Marini. He’s out of contract at the end of the season, with Jorge Martin – who has insisted he wishes to leave Aprilia at the end of 2025 – heavily linked with a move to the factory Honda team. It’s not known at this stage how many races Marini will miss.

HRC are yet to announce who will replace Marini whilst he’s on the sidelines, but it’s likely that test rider Aleix Espargaro will return to action in his place. Espargaro has already made two wildcard appearances this season. Takaaki Nakagami is also an option following his switch to the test team at the end of last year.