Joan Mir believes his performances and underlying potential warrant one other time period at Honda’s manufacturing facility squad in MotoGP’s 850cc period.
HRC stays one of many previous couple of manufacturing facility squads to finalise its 2027 line-up, with Honda but to resolve who will be a part of the incoming Fabio Quartararo aboard the RC214V.
Mir has been a part of the manufacturing facility set-up since 2023 and, after initially struggling for each efficiency and motivation, he helped the squad return to the rostrum at Motegi and Sepang final yr.
Nevertheless, Motorsport.com understands that neither he nor his team-mate Luca Marini was supplied a contract renewal as of final month’s US Grand Prix. The scenario is additional difficult by Honda’s plans to increase its presence to 6 bikes subsequent yr, probably by bringing Tech3 into its satellite tv for pc roster.
Whereas that might theoretically create extra alternatives inside the producer’s steady, Mir made it clear that his precedence is on retaining his manufacturing facility seat subsequent yr.
“I do not assume I would should race for any staff apart from the official Honda staff,” he mentioned.
“I am not right here to ask for something. I feel I am a rider who can assure that, when the bike is working, I will be up entrance. That is what we’ve to purpose for.
“Additionally, I must discover a undertaking that motivates me. If one thing would not inspire me, I will not do it. It’s that straightforward. This isn’t the start of my racing profession, the place something goes.
“If I’m going to do one thing, it’s as a result of it is sensible, and we’re transferring ahead, and we’re going all out, as a result of I’m proving that I’m quick.
“From right here on out, as for the issues I can’t management, we’ll should see, however I feel I’m giving greater than sufficient causes to have an excellent bike subsequent yr.”
Marini’s 2027 ambitions
Luca Marini, Honda HRC
Photograph by: Gold and Goose Pictures / LAT Photographs / by way of Getty Photographs
Honda’s signing of Quartararo earlier this yr means both Mir or Marini must make manner for the Frenchman. There additionally stays a risk that Honda will drop each its present riders, with the likes of LCR’s Diogo Moreira and Moto2 racer David Alonso ready within the wings.
The selection between Mir and Marini stays troublesome. Whereas 2025 confirmed that Mir has the next ceiling, Marini is extremely valued by the highest brass at Honda for his technical knowhow.
Marini was beforehand in discussions with Yamaha to switch Quartararo, however Motorsport.com revealed earlier this month that the Iwata-based model has opted for Ai Ogura as an alternative, shutting the door for the Italian.
Requested whether or not Honda’s ambitions to have three groups on the grid will assist his trigger of constant with the Japanese producer, he mentioned: “I have not heard something about that.
However, in any case, it will not make a lot of a distinction to me if Honda places six bikes on the observe subsequent yr. What I would like is to stick with the manufacturing facility staff. We’re doing an ideal job; the bike has clearly taken a step ahead.”
He added: “From a producer’s perspective, extra bikes on observe is healthier. Extra knowledge and extra probabilities to battle for higher outcomes.
“I am targeted on my job and what I must do right here. It will likely be unbelievable to proceed with Honda and the manufacturing facility staff as a result of we’re doing an ideal job for my part. We did a unbelievable step ahead in these couple of years.
“It will likely be good to finish the circle and attempt to battle for the podiums within the subsequent few years.”
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