Joan Mir is confident that Honda possesses the necessary tools to stage a strong comeback in the 2026 MotoGP season. Following a series of tough years for the Japanese manufacturer, Mir’s renewed optimism reflects significant progress shown by the team during pre-season preparations.
Official Honda Team Unveils New Livery and Lineup
On Monday, the official Honda MotoGP team wrapped up this year’s presentation events by showcasing its new livery alongside riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini. Mir, entering his fourth season with Honda, approaches 2026 with a sense of hope and determination after a challenging couple of years for the bike.
Improved Performance Offers Reasons for Optimism
After two difficult seasons where Honda struggled to compete at the front, the 2025 campaign marked a turning point. The bike made strides forward, allowing Mir to secure two podium finishes late in the year. These results signaled an upswing in competitiveness and bred hope for the upcoming season.
Mir Emphasizes Need for Early Competitiveness
Mir highlighted the crucial work done by Honda’s engineers throughout the winter to enhance the bike’s speed and potential. He stressed the importance of starting the season strongly, ensuring the team is competitive from the opening laps in order to restore Honda’s standing in the championship.
“We’ve shown that the Honda RC213V and I have the speed and potential to make Honda HRC proud. The two pre-season tests will be crucial to properly prepare for the start of the year. All the engineers at Honda HRC have worked tirelessly this winter. There’s no time to lose: we have to be competitive from the first lap to give our best and bring Honda HRC back to where it deserves to be.” – Joan Mir, MotoGP Rider
Positive Feedback from Test Rider Boosts Confidence
The promising results from Honda’s test rider Aleix Espargaró, who topped the lap times during the recent Shakedown at Sepang, further bolster Mir’s belief in the bike’s capabilities. Espargaró’s pace was just a fraction behind Francesco Bagnaia’s 2025 pole time, suggesting Honda’s potential to challenge the frontrunners this season.
“I’m delighted with Aleix’s feedback. It’s an excellent starting point. I think we’ll be competitive this season. We’ll need to continue improving the bike, have good tests, and be as prepared as possible for Thailand.” – Joan Mir, MotoGP Rider
Targeting a Strong Start to Build on Past Progress
Reflecting on last year’s goals, Mir noted that simply finishing races and ending the season competitively was the initial priority. This time, the focus shifts to beginning the season with strong performances and consistency, which Mir believes is achievable with the current momentum.
“Last season’s objective was to finish the races and end the season competitively, and we achieved that. This time, the objective is to start competitively, and we’ll see what happens after that. We’ll try to start in good shape and with good performances on our bikes, and from there, we’ll see what the season has in store for us.” – Joan Mir, MotoGP Rider
Mir Reluctant to Discuss Contract Future Amid Focus on Present
With contracts for all riders expiring at the end of the year, Mir was cautious when asked about his future beyond 2026. He preferred to concentrate on the current season, acknowledging that it remains too early to make decisions or predictions about the next year.
“It’s still too early to talk about it.” – Joan Mir, MotoGP Rider
“It’s true that we’re doing, I think, excellent work with Honda, and we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but you know, before the start of the season, it’s difficult to make predictions for 2027 because you never know what can happen, and the most important thing is the present.” – Joan Mir, MotoGP Rider
Strong Season Preparation Indicates Potential Impact
As Honda prepares to launch the 2026 season with renewed vigor, the combined efforts of riders Joan Mir, Luca Marini, and the technical team underscore a clear ambition to reclaim their competitive stature. Success in early races like Thailand could set the tone for a campaign focused on consistency and podium contention, potentially restoring Honda’s prominence in MotoGP.
