Honda is still a long way from the frontrunners, warns Joan Mir, despite a promising Sepang test!
Joan Mir, the 2020 MotoGP World Champion, expressed a mix of satisfaction and concern following the recent Sepang MotoGP test. While he was pleased with his performance during a simulated Sprint race on the final day, a closer look at the pace of the leading Ducati riders revealed a significant gap that leaves Honda with a considerable challenge ahead.
A Glimpse of Hope, Followed by a Reality Check
Earlier in the test, Mir had showcased Honda's potential by topping the timesheets with a strong 1m 56s lap during a qualifying simulation. This impressive performance ultimately placed him fifth overall by the end of the three-day event. However, the true measure of progress often comes during race simulations, and it was here that the differences became starkly apparent.
"It was good, but if you check the pace of the Ducati guys, especially Alex, we are far," Mir candidly admitted. He elaborated that while Honda has made improvements compared to the previous year, allowing him to consistently lap in the 1m 58s range for most of his Sprint simulation, the leading Ducatis, particularly Alex Marquez, were in a different league. "I think Ducati made a step this pre-season and they are very strong again."
The Numbers Don't Lie: A Significant Pace Deficit
To put this into perspective, if Mir's final lap from his Sprint simulation were removed to match the ten-lap distance of the Ducatis, he would have been a staggering 9.096 seconds behind Alex Marquez. This margin, had it occurred in last October's Sprint race, would have relegated him to sixth place. Alex Marquez himself, now equipped with factory-spec machinery, posted a blistering 1m 57.295s early in his simulation – a lap time that Mir described as "almost a time attack!"
But here's where it gets controversial... Mir explained that such a rapid lap, while impressive, isn't sustainable for a full race distance on the Honda. "If I made that lap time, the next lap I would make 2m 01, because I’d cook the tyre completely! It’s a bit what happens normally in the time attack." This highlights a potential dilemma: is Honda's current package capable of consistently fast laps, or is it overly reliant on tire management that compromises outright speed?
Evolution, Not Revolution: Where Honda Stands
Mir described the latest RC213V as "slightly better in every area." He emphasized that the improvements are not revolutionary but rather incremental evolutions across many aspects, leading to small gains in lap times. "But it’s not that we made a huge step in one area."
When pressed about the bike's primary weakness, the former world champion was unequivocal: grip. "Grip, we are still very far," he stated. "Grip is the only thing we should focus on a bit more. Because with more grip, you can control the spin more, your drop on the tyre is less, so it’s everything." This lack of grip, he explained, affects tire wear, spin, and ultimately, overall performance.
And this is the part most people miss... Despite the challenges, Mir believes that with the current package, Honda can realistically aim for the top five or top four in a race, but achieving more would be a significant stretch. "I think if there is a race tomorrow, I think we can fight for the top five, top four - but not a lot more."
His teammate, Luca Marini, finished the test as the next best Honda rider, in 13th overall. The final pre-season test is scheduled for Buriram on February 21-22, after which Honda will need to finalize their engine specification for the 2026 season, having moved up in the concession rankings.
What do you think? Is Honda's focus on incremental improvements enough to close the gap, or do they need a more radical approach to compete with Ducati? Share your thoughts in the comments below – do you agree with Mir's assessment of Honda's current standing?
