Joan Mir Believes Honda Can Surprise at Mugello Despite Challenges

Joan Mir believes Honda HRC has reasons to be optimistic heading into the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, despite the circuit historically being one of the more challenging venues for the RC213V.

Mugello has not traditionally been a happy hunting ground for Honda in recent years. The Japanese manufacturer's last podium at the Tuscan circuit came in 2019 when Marc Marquez finished second behind Danilo Petrucci. Since then, Honda has struggled to consistently challenge at a venue renowned for its combination of high-speed corners and one of the longest straights in MotoGP.

Mir's own record with Honda at Mugello is also modest. Since joining HRC, his best finish at the Italian circuit has been 11th place in 2025. However, the Spaniard believes the current situation is very different from previous seasons due to the progress Honda has made throughout 2026.

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That confidence stems largely from Honda's recent performance in Catalunya. Mir crossed the finish line in second place before a post-race tyre pressure penalty dropped him to 13th in the final classification. Despite losing the podium, his overall performance demonstrated a clear step forward for the RC213V package.

"We arrive in Italy with great motivation and confidence. Our weekend in Barcelona ended in a strong way and I want to carry that into Mugello. It's a track that isn't among our strongest, but Honda usually struggles in Barcelona as well, so I think we can be a bit optimistic," Mir said.

His assessment is supported by recent technical improvements. One of Honda's biggest weaknesses in recent years has been performance through long corners requiring strong rear grip and stability. The latest developments introduced on the 2026 RC213V appear to have improved braking stability and cornering performance, areas that previously limited the bike's competitiveness.

Nevertheless, Mugello presents a unique challenge. The circuit's extremely long main straight will place additional emphasis on engine performance compared to rivals such as Ducati and KTM. As a result, qualifying performance and starting position are expected to play a crucial role in determining Honda's race prospects.

"We need to put everything together lap by lap and day by day to understand the situation throughout the weekend. But I am confident in my speed. As we've seen in several recent weekends, a strong grid position can make all the difference for us," Mir added.

Meanwhile, team-mate Luca Marini arrives at his home race with additional motivation. The Italian missed last year's Mugello event after suffering injuries during Suzuka 8 Hours testing, making this year's return particularly meaningful.

"Last year I was only at Mugello as a spectator, so I'm really looking forward to racing there this year. It's a special race for every rider, and as an Italian you enjoy the weekend with the fans. It's one of the most iconic events on the MotoGP calendar," Marini said.

Marini also pointed to the encouraging post-race Catalunya test as another reason for confidence. According to the Italian rider, the combination of a strong Barcelona weekend and productive testing has provided Honda with a solid foundation heading into Mugello.

For Honda, the Italian Grand Prix will serve as a significant benchmark in evaluating the progress made throughout the first part of the season. If Mir and Marini can replicate the pace shown in Catalunya, HRC could achieve its strongest Mugello result in years and further reinforce the signs of resurgence that have begun to emerge during the 2026 campaign.