Joan Mir, riding for Honda HRC Castrol, acknowledges significant progress with the Honda RC213V in the current MotoGP season, as the team consistently battles within the top ten and holds second place in the Constructors’ Championship. However, Mir remains cautious, emphasizing that despite these improvements, the bike is not yet the second best in the field.
Reflecting on last season’s struggles, Mir explained,
“It’s not possible to go from being the worst bike last season to be the second best bike. This is not possible. Now I feel that I have the tools to fight with the other manufacturers. I have strong points and weak points compared to them. Last year I only had weak points.”
His words highlight the uneasy reality that, while progress is clear, there is still work to be done.
The Spaniard outlined specific areas where the RC213V has improved this season, particularly in braking and cornering, where he believes Honda now matches or even surpasses competing manufacturers.
“This season it seems we start having some very good things – like braking, like going into the corner, the approach to the corner is very good. In that area, we are probably better than the other manufacturers we are competing with,”
Mir stated.
Despite these gains, Mir acknowledged ongoing weaknesses, noting that the bike lacks the raw power of KTM and Ducati, as well as the grip levels of Aprilia. These deficits prevent Honda from fully competing at the top level, even if the bike’s balanced features allow them to challenge rivals more effectively than before.
Mir’s outlook underscores both a restless ambition and a somber awareness of the hurdles ahead:
“My goal and Honda’s goal is not to fight with them – it’s to beat them.”
This determination reveals the intense pressure on both rider and team as they push to transform notable improvements into genuine race-winning performances, reminding fans that the battle for supremacy is far from over.
