Joan Mir believes the 2025 MotoGP pre-season marks his most competitive stint yet as a Honda rider. After two challenging years, the 2020 world champion remains committed to the project, having signed a two-year extension.
The new RC213V showed promise in winter testing, with Mir finishing sixth-fastest at Buriram and feeling Honda is “well-prepared” for the season.
“We have to be very happy,” Mir told MotoGP’s After the Flag. “We put everything together on the last day and were able to be competitive. This is the first time I’ve felt this strong with Honda, and it’s a reward for the team’s hard work.”
Despite improvements, Mir acknowledges key weaknesses remain, particularly a lack of engine power and lingering vibration issues from 2024.
“We’re getting closer, but the engine still isn’t there,” he admitted. “In a race, horsepower matters, and that’s something we need. The vibration issue has improved slightly, but it’s still a priority to fix.”
Mir completed a strong sprint simulation, matching Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo and staying close to Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi. While encouraged by Honda’s progress, he remains cautious, noting that race weekends will provide the true test.
