After several difficult years in MotoGP, Joan Mir believes that Honda has finally grasped the approach needed to succeed in the current age of advanced aerodynamics and ride-height technology. Mir, the 2020 world champion, joined Honda in 2023 alongside Marc Marquez before stepping into Marquez’s role after the latter switched to Ducati at the end of the season.
Improvement Under New Leadership and Team Efforts
Following a disappointing low of just 21 points in Mir’s first season with Honda, significant progress was made the following year under the guidance of new technical chief Romano Albesiano. Honda managed to move ahead of Yamaha in the constructors’ rankings, highlighted by a wet-condition victory courtesy of Johann Zarco, and a total of three dry-weather podium finishes.
Joan Mir contributed strongly with the last two podiums, ending a long streak without factory team trophies and marking Honda Racing Corporation’s first top-three finishes since Marc Marquez’s departure. This resurgence helped Mir regain confidence after experiencing 32 race retirements and ten injury-related absences over his three years with the Japanese manufacturer.
Mir’s Confidence and Future Ambitions
Reflecting on his current state, Mir shared,
“I’m now in a very good moment in terms of confidence,”
confirming he still sees room to grow.
“There’s still a bit of margin to go. But I need to be fighting for something… Hopefully something that can happen [in 2026],”
he told Crash.net late last year.
Technical Gains and the Competitive Landscape
Honda’s efforts, supported by riders Zarco and Luca Marini alongside Mir, allowed the team to move out of the lowest ‘D’ concession category for 2026. While Ducati remained strong, especially with new rider Marc Marquez leading the charge, the Desmosedici no longer held an overwhelming advantage with its other riders. Mir explained,
“It was a year where the other manufacturers could recover some distance to Ducati.”
He added,
“Ducati struggled to improve their machine for [2025], and the others did it. Now we have more or less a package where we can fight for the top five.”
Mir, however, warned against complacency:
“But if KTM make another step, maybe we have three KTMs in front of us, and then we are back where we were. So we cannot sleep!”
Honda’s Challenges After Marquez and Steps Toward Success
It has been six years since Honda last secured a MotoGP world title. The absence of Marquez due to injuries exposed Honda’s struggles to keep pace with European manufacturers, especially as the sport shifted focus toward aerodynamics and ride-height device development. When asked if Honda now understands the bike needed to return to championship-winning form, Mir stated,
“That’s a very good question. Because it’s something that maybe [in 2024], I was not convinced to say to you that Honda knows exactly where we have to go.”
He then affirmed,
“But now I know that, yes. Now they know what they need to be successful in this new MotoGP era. They know it.”
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season and New Developments
Joan Mir will start preparations for the final season of the 1000cc Michelin MotoGP era during the upcoming official Sepang test. Meanwhile, Mir and teammate Luca Marini have not yet signed contracts for the forthcoming 850cc era. Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo is currently favored to ride one of Honda’s next-generation factory bikes, signifying ongoing shifts in team lineups for the near future.
