Joan Mir: Honda Turnaround Sparks Subconscious Edge in MotoGP 2025

MotoGP, Sportrik Media – Joan Mir of HRC Racing Team reveals that Honda's recent podiums have boosted the entire team's morale, enabling them to "subconsciously give more" as they approach the Portimao round. This achievement marks the end of three and a half challenging years for the 2020 world champion since leaving Suzuki, with third-place finishes at Motegi and Malaysia serving as his first rostrums on the RC213V. Consequently, Mir's confidence has reached its seasonal peak, though the primary challenge remains achieving consistency amid the fierce MotoGP 2025 competition.

Mir's journey with HRC Racing Team has been fraught with obstacles since joining at the end of 2021, where adapting to Honda's precision-demanding bike was often hindered by handling and durability issues. Out of 40 starts this season, he has suffered 25 non-finishes, placing him 15th in the interim standings. Yet, the double podium in the flyaway races framing the Asian series with a third at Motegi as the opener and Sepang as the closer has reshaped the narrative. 

In particular, the Sepang result, on a historically demanding track for Honda due to its undulating surface, highlights significant progress in aerodynamics and suspension setup. Moreover, this momentum not only enhances raw speed but also strengthens team cohesion, where every member feels a collective push toward faster innovation.

In Thursday's press conference, Mir highlighted the psychological dimension of this turnaround. "We are able to give something more because the team mood is good. We know that with a perfect weekend, we can achieve very good results," he stated, underscoring how positive vibes influence subconscious performance. 

This remark emphasizes the need for balance between aggression and caution, as pushing at 120 percent risks undermining consistency. Therefore, Mir's next focus is building a more relaxed riding margin, especially at Portimao, renowned for its blind corners that demand absolute trust. Historically, this Portuguese circuit witnessed Mir's last Suzuki podium in 2021, while his 12th-place finish as Honda's top rider in last year's March event sets a benchmark for improvement. "It's a special track. A lot of blind corners. You need a lot of confidence to ride here," he added, signaling higher expectations than at Sepang.

A deeper analysis reveals that this success is closely tied to Honda's evolution amid the dominance of Ducati Lenovo Team, where the Japanese manufacturer has integrated advanced telemetry data from preseason tests to address acceleration weaknesses. Mir's Sepang podium is no mere luck but evidence of an adaptive strategy exploiting the RC213V's strengths in variable conditions, despite still lagging behind the frontrunners. In comparison to Mir's now more competitive position, this could unlock further European rostrums, particularly at Portimao, which aligns with his Suzuki-era style precise navigation through technical turns. Thus, HRC Racing Team is poised not just to survive but to challenge key rivals through more mature consistency, as noted by the rider himself in recent reflections.

Overall, Honda's turnaround via Joan Mir promises a fresh phase in the latter half of the 2025 season, with team confidence acting as the primary catalyst. This positive outlook, fueled by flyaway podiums that reignited spirits, holds potential for even brighter results in Europe, including the imminent Portimao event. Sportrik Media will continue tracking these developments for enthusiasts attuned to MotoGP's dynamics.