Joan Mir made a notable return to scoring MotoGP points at Silverstone by finishing tenth, ending a long points drought that dated back to round two in Argentina. His performance highlighted ongoing tyre challenges that affected his pace and ability to maintain position throughout the race.
Mixed Performance Marks Mir’s Return to Points
Mir, riding for the HRC team, showed early promise by advancing from twelfth to seventh place in the initial laps, demonstrating strong mid-race competitiveness. Despite rebounding from a lackluster Saturday Sprint event, Mir was unable to hold off rivals as his rear tyre degraded sharply towards the end, dropping him back to tenth by the race’s conclusion.
The rider admitted to experiencing “mixed emotions” after the race, acknowledging both the positives in gaining positions and the frustration caused by traction losses in the closing stages. As the rear tyre wore out, Mir struggled with acceleration, which severely hindered his ability to defend his place on the straights.
Tyre Degradation Causes Defending Difficulties
Mir explained how the compromised rear tyre resulted in a significant disadvantage:
“If you accelerate behind the others with this bike, you normally lose. [So] imagine when you have a cooked tyre, the others just smash you on the straight.”
This issue led to multiple overtakes by competitors in the final laps, sharply reducing his standing in the tightly packed group.
He expressed disappointment at losing numerous positions rapidly despite being competitive earlier in the race. Mir indicated that the problem could stem from the bike setup or electronic configuration, saying,
“We have to understand why this drop happened and if it happened to the others. It’s probably something about the setup, electronic.”
“We have to work on these details that at the end make the difference.”
— Joan Mir, Repsol Honda Rider
Team Results and Notable Performances
While Mir finished tenth, his Repsol Honda teammate Luca Marini initially crossed in eighth place but was later demoted to 15th due to a tyre pressure violation. Meanwhile, Johann Zarco, winner in Le Mans and riding for another Honda outfit, secured second place, marking him the highest-placed rider on Honda machinery in this race.
The Road Ahead for Joan Mir and the HRC Team
Mir’s return to the points brings some optimism but also underscores the ongoing challenges with tyre management that the team must address. Resolving traction and setup issues will be critical for maintaining competitiveness, especially in the closing stages of races where tyre degradation can dramatically impact performance.
Improvements in these areas could allow Mir to better capitalize on his mid-race battles and protect his position against rival riders on the straights. As the season continues, Mir and the HRC team will focus on fine-tuning their setup to prevent similar late-race drops and build toward stronger, more consistent results.
