Union of ‘necessity’
It may not exactly be a renewal dictated by mutual love between Honda and Joan Mir, but it seems destined to take place anyway. The 2020 world champion and the Japanese manufacturer – despite the difficulties of the last two years and the understandable ambitions of the former Suzuki rider to be able to settle on a more competitive bike – seem one step away from ratifying a two-year extension. The indiscretion was reported by the British website Autosport.com.
Options gone
Until a few days ago, the profile of Maverick Viñales had also been linked to Honda, but the Spaniard has instead decided to accept the court of KTM, in what will be a very fascinating project that will also see Enea Bastianini involved. Mir on the other hand had been linked – among others – to the American Trackhouse team, an Aprilia customer team. However, the team directed by Davide Brivio could also confirm the Miguel Oliveira-Raúl Fernández pairing as a whole, closing Mir’s alternative options, given the many other seats already occupied.
Central role in development
Currently the #36, who missed five GPs due to injury last year, is still the best-placed Honda rider in the standings and has collected 13 of the paltry 19 points that the Tokyo manufacturer has in the Constructors’ ranking. Honda also appreciated the progress made over this period of time by Mir and the role he played in the development of the bike. The combination should therefore remain as such until the end of 2026.
