MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Joan Mir lost a potential top-five finish at the 2026 Thai MotoGP after suffering a critical rear tyre failure in the closing stages of Sunday’s race at Buriram.
Moments after Marc Marquez retired due to a rim failure, the incident elevated Mir to fifth place. However, the Honda HRC rider was soon forced to pit with a separate and terminal tyre issue of his own.
Television images showed a strip of rubber missing from the centre of Mir’s rear tyre. Speaking cautiously, Mir referred to the issue as being related to an “external supplier,” avoiding direct mention of the tyre manufacturer.
“I enjoyed almost the entire race, 22 laps, until I had a problem with an ‘external supplier’,” Mir said.
“We have to properly check what happened because it was very strange. Normally you feel a drop in grip, but in this case I had to retire.”
Mir explained that excessive wheelspin disrupted the RC213V’s electronic systems, making the bike unpredictable and unsafe to continue.
“I couldn’t even stay on the bike because it was dangerous. Even the electronics were not working properly with that amount of spin, so the bike was almost stopping,” he added.
The 2020 MotoGP world champion stressed that the issue emerged suddenly, without significant warning.
“It was quite unexpected, from one lap to the next. I think we were all struggling with tyre management, but this was something different. We need to understand it.”
Without the failure, Mir believed he had the pace to defend fifth and possibly challenge Jorge Martin for fourth.
“We have to be happy and proud because this is not an easy track for us. I had to compensate a lot with the front, but I was able to defend my position and even attack at the end,” he said.
Mir’s retirement left Luca Marini as the leading Honda in tenth place. The episode further highlighted the importance of tyre durability and management under Buriram’s extreme heat conditions, which played a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the 2026 season opener.
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