Joan Mir finished 11th at the Italian Grand Prix but raised serious concerns about ongoing technical flaws with the Honda bike. The Spaniard pointed to structural weaknesses that have persisted over several seasons, emphasizing the need for urgent improvements to prevent further setbacks in upcoming races like Assen.
Despite a better outcome than Saturday’s Sprint, Mir expressed frustration with the team’s performance and the bike’s limitations. He stated,
“Me? Nothing. What I learned this weekend… nothing. What I hope is that the team has better understood the direction to take. On tracks like this, the problem we have is huge.”
—Joan Mir, MotoGP Rider
Mir Identifies Key Weaknesses Hindering Honda’s Competitiveness
Mir explained that these challenges are longstanding and widespread rather than isolated incidents. He described Honda’s difficulties as stemming from “three weaknesses” that are deeply complex, especially on circuits with fewer heavy braking zones or stop-and-go sections where the bike struggles the most. He warned that similar troubles could persist at Assen if no adjustments are made.
Regarding the bike’s structural deficits revealed at Mugello, Mir was particularly critical. He said,
“If we’ve been struggling with this bike on this track for so many years, something’s been missing for a long time. We need to try and improve grip. There’s no traction when you lean the bike. There are the Ducatis, the Aprilias, and then the others.”
—Joan Mir, MotoGP Rider
Warning on the Need for Swift Changes to Close the Gap
Joan Mir’s remarks underline the urgency for Honda to address these persistent issues quickly, or risk falling further behind rivals like Ducati and Aprilia in the season standings. His candid reflections expose the technical and performance challenges that Honda must overcome to remain competitive at the highest level of the sport.
