Jonathan Rea returns to Honda, will be a test rider in 2026: it's official

Rea puts Honda’s colors back on: it was made official today.

Jonathan Rea will be a Honda test rider in 2026. The six-time Superbike World Champion will contribute to the development of the Japanese manufacturer’s technical project, for which he already raced in SBK between 2009 and 2014 (42 podiums, 15 of them victories). His vast experience will be useful in trying to improve the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, which in the next World Championship will be ridden by two rookies, Jake Dixon and Somkiat Chantra.

The Northern Irish rider is happy to be part of the Japanese project: "From the moment HRC shared its plans and the new role it envisioned for me, I was immediately excited to understand how I could contribute. Returning to Honda, the manufacturer with which I gained my first WorldSBK experience and my very first victory in the category, feels like coming full circle. Although my role will be very different from what I’m used to as a full-time rider, I’m highly motivated to embrace this new chapter. My goal is to bring all the experience and knowledge I’ve acquired throughout my career and use it to best support the development of the CBR1000RR-R and the official Honda HRC team. I’m also very happy to work again with Chris Pike, the Honda HRC test team project manager and my former crew chief, with whom I share wonderful memories and mutual respect. Working together as a team, I’m confident we can build something truly positive for the future. I can’t wait to get started."

We shouldn’t rule out that Rea could take part in one or two Superbike World Championship rounds as a wild card. He could also be involved in the Endurance program. He has already raced and won the Suzuka 8 Hours in the past, and he might compete there again in 2026. We’ll see. In the meantime, what had already leaked in recent weeks has been announced. After negotiations, the parties reached a full agreement and the official statement arrived this morning. BMW and Yamaha had also made contact, but Honda came out on top.