Joan Mir has confirmed that his decision to leave the factory Honda MotoGP team was made during the Jerez round in April, well before his official announcement at the Catalan Grand Prix. While speculation about Mir’s departure had been circulating for months—especially with Fabio Quartararo and David Alonso both heavily linked to Honda—the 2020 world champion clarified that the choice to move on was his own.
“For sure I know my capabilities in terms of riding and I know what I can do with this bike,” Mir explained after the Catalunya race. “In Jerez I decided that I wanted to move on from here and soon you will know where I will go. Now we have to enjoy this podium and it doesn’t matter the results of this season, the decision at the end is taken and that’s it.”
Mir’s second place finish in Catalunya was later nullified by a tyre pressure penalty, dropping him to 13th and denying Honda its first podium of the 2026 season. His next destination in MotoGP has yet to be confirmed, but Mir’s focus is firmly on new challenges ahead.
