Joan Mir has declared that the 2026 Honda MotoGP bike is the best package he has ridden since joining the team, despite acknowledging that a key problem from previous years remains unresolved. At the Sepang test, Mir impressed by setting the fastest Honda lap ever recorded on the Malaysian circuit with a time of 1m56.874s, signaling strong early promise for the new RC213V.
Honda showed marked improvement in the 2025 season, securing its first race victory in two years during the wet French Grand Prix and finishing on the podium three additional times under dry conditions. Although the team faced reduced testing opportunities this year due to concession ranking changes, they have come into 2026 with noticeable momentum as reflected in their performance during the tests.
Positive Early Performance at Sepang Test
On the second day of testing at Sepang, which was affected by rain, Mir set a benchmark lap that not only placed Honda at the top of the timesheets for the first time since Mandalika in 2022 but also highlighted the potential of the latest bike iteration. Mir shared that while only one soft tire was used that day, the lap time demonstrated room for further improvement.
“We only used one soft tyre today,”
Mir remarked.
“It was the one that we made the time attack with at the beginning of the day. It was a good lap, but I think there is still some margin, as I think the others will have.
“At the moment, I feel comfortable on the bike. It’s the best package I’ve ridden since I joined Honda. So, I’m happy.”
– Joan Mir, MotoGP Rider
Joan Mir expressed satisfaction with the bike’s balance and performance, emphasizing his comfort and readiness to push further as testing continues.
Technical Insight from Honda’s Leadership
Romano Albesiano, Honda’s technical director, echoed Mir’s positivity but tempered expectations, noting that the bike’s full potential might not yet be visible. He described the day’s results as “moderately satisfactory” and highlighted the importance of continued development during the final day of testing.
“The bike is performing well, we are competitive, and this is what matters most at this stage of the season.”
– Romano Albesiano, Technical Director
Albesiano’s comments reinforce that Honda is on a positive trajectory but still refining the RC213V for optimal race-day performance.
Ongoing Struggles with Rear Grip Highlighted
Despite the encouraging progress, Joan Mir noted that a longstanding issue with rear grip persists on the 2026 RC213V, continuing to challenge the riders. This weakness, which has been a concern for several seasons, remains a focal point for the Honda team’s development efforts.
“The grip is still an issue,”
Mir admitted.
“We spin quite more than what we want. Tomorrow we will work on it.
“We will try to understand what we need to improve in that area, and try to put everything together tomorrow. Let’s see if we can be a bit faster.”
– Joan Mir, MotoGP Rider
The acknowledgment of this challenge demonstrates Honda’s candid approach to their development hurdles while maintaining optimism for improvements.
Looking Ahead: Potential Impact of the 2026 Honda MotoGP Bike
The early signs from the Sepang test suggest that the 2026 Joan Mir Honda bike could be a competitive contender this season if ongoing issues, particularly related to rear grip, are addressed successfully. Mir’s positive feedback combined with Honda’s improved race results from last year indicates a strong foundation to build upon.
As testing progresses, fans and team members alike will watch closely to see whether Honda can convert this promising start into consistent race pace and podium finishes. The collaboration between Mir, technical director Romano Albesiano, and the Honda engineering team is crucial as they refine the bike to maximize speed and handling.
