​​Why Honda’s largest critic was smiling after first day of MotoGP testing

Joan Mir is so used to highlighting the failings of Honda’s MotoGP bike that it was a shock to see him singing praises for its 2025 prototype in Sepang.

Simply three months prior, Mir had expressed his anger over Honda failing to bring any new parts to experiment with in the Barcelona test. It adopted a disastrous season during which he was outscored by Johann Zarco on the satellite tv for pc LCR bike, and was unable to take advantage of the late-season upgrades from the Japanese producer.

Some individuals had even questioned why Mir and Honda had agreed to a brand new deal when the primary two years of their partnership had been nothing in need of a catastrophe.

Nevertheless, if Wednesday’s working was any indication, Mir is ready for a a lot better marketing campaign in MotoGP with Honda this time round.

The 2020 champion defined that he was in a position to see tangible enhancements on the dealing with of the bike in the course of the opening day of pre-season testing in Malaysia, as he completed sixth-fastest with a time that was simply 0.560s slower than Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo in first.

However greater than something, Mir loved driving a MotoGP bike once more, having mentioned in early 2024 that he was uncertain “how lengthy his physique can take” the toll of Honda’s struggles. 

“The sensation was good as a result of each [corner] exit I used to be bettering,” he defined. “We ended the day being fairly quick with used tyres and in addition with new tyres. 

“I am completely satisfied as a result of we kind of understood the road that we need to proceed to do throughout this take a look at. 

“We discovered kind of the set-up and the geometry that allowed me to experience in the way in which that I [like to] experience – a means that I used to be not in a position to experience final season, particularly the second a part of the season. And now Honda brings a package deal that permits me to do it.

“I used to be completely satisfied in each exit, I used to be smiling as a result of I used to be having fun with [on the bike].”

Joan Mir, Honda HRC

Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos

Nevertheless, on the similar time, Mir is conscious that Honda nonetheless hasn’t cured all weaknesses of the RC213V, with the 27-year-old figuring out grip and straight line velocity as two areas the place it nonetheless wants to enhance.

“Our bike isn’t quick on the straight, it is not quick in any respect, we’re the slowest,” he revealed. “However for positive if we enhance on the straight and right here [in Sepang] there are two straights. I am positive we do not lose lower than three or 4 tenths in these two straights. 

“That signifies that we will get nearer, severely nearer as a result of we improved on the braking space, I used to be in a position to brake how I do know, I used to be in a position to flip. 

“I used to be nonetheless having vibrations however for some cause I used to be in a position to handle it. They work laborious on it and it actually pays off.”

The Sepang take a look at continues on Thursday and Friday, whereas one other two days of working is scheduled in Buriram subsequent week earlier than the beginning of the 2025 season.

Having already made tangible enhancements on braking and cornering, Mir thinks Honda can concentrate on top-speed and grip within the the rest of testing.

“The grip remains to be one thing the place we want one step, that we have to enhance – and the highest velocity,” he mentioned. “Within the subsequent two days we are going to concentrate on that.

“Tomorrow we are going to strive. I am undecided however throughout lately we should always strive totally different engine configurations, the concept is to work on it on the ability. So let’s examine if we will make a step or we strive it on the subsequent take a look at. We now have to see.”

Pictures from Sepang Check – Day 1