Joan Mir has highlighted a pivotal engine modification in the Honda MotoGP 2025 bike, saying this adjustment had a notable impact on his performance. After a tough campaign in 2024, Mir and the Honda team have worked to enhance results by refining the engine’s characteristics as part of the Joan Mir Honda MotoGP 2025 project.
Honda’s Rebound After a Challenging Season
Honda endured a difficult 2024 season but managed to return stronger in the 2025 MotoGP campaign. Successes included a victory in wet weather at Le Mans, thanks to Johann Zarco, as well as three podium finishes in dry conditions. Joan Mir contributed two podiums, achieving these at Motegi and Sepang. Over the course of the year, Honda gained 210 more points than it did in the previous season, climbing out of the relegation zone in the concession rankings for 2026.
A Focus on Technical Upgrades and Engine Changes
During the 2025 season, Honda made extensive use of its concession benefits, introducing several updates across the bike’s components. However, Joan Mir identified the engine development as the most vital improvement for him personally. When speaking in Valencia about the changes, he commented:
“For me, what makes… It’s not one thing,”
Joan Mir, MotoGP Rider.
Mir elaborated that progress came from various areas, not just a single upgrade. Enhancements to aerodynamics, the engine, grip, and electronics all played a part, but it was the engine’s new character that set his experience apart from other Honda riders. According to Mir, his sensitivity to throttle control allowed him to notice these differences more acutely. He observed that the new engine character made a distinct difference in handling, something that benefited his particular riding style.
“And then the feeling on the front, to have better braking stability, even if it’s not fantastic, I’m at a good level now.”
Joan Mir, MotoGP Rider.
Joan Mir’s 2025 Results and Team Standings
Despite improvements, Mir finished the 2025 season 15th in the overall standings, collecting 96 points and seeing the checkered flag in only nine out of 22 races. He only managed to finish consecutive races once, securing 10th, 7th, and 11th places between Silverstone and Mugello. Johann Zarco emerged as the leading Honda rider in 12th place, followed by Luca Marini in 13th. Both Mir and Marini now enter the last year of their current Honda contracts, set to expire in 2026.
Implications for Honda and the Remaining Season
The recent advancements in engine development and other technical upgrades indicate gentle optimism for both Joan Mir and Honda. As the team builds on these changes, expectations are rising for even better results in the latter part of the season and heading into 2026. The evolution in Mir’s performance, coupled with improved points and podium finishes, highlight a more competitive outlook for the Honda squad in MotoGP’s future.
