MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Joan Mir with Honda HRC has detailed the reasons behind his repeated crashes in MotoGP 2026, despite demonstrating strong single-lap pace across the opening rounds.
The Spaniard has emerged as Honda’s fastest rider in the early phase of the season, yet results have not reflected that speed. A tyre issue denied him a likely fourth-place finish in Thailand, while illness compromised his performance in Brazil. The situation escalated in Austin, where two race-ending crashes significantly impacted his points tally.
At Circuit of The Americas, Mir qualified fifth and was running in contention for a podium in the sprint while chasing Pedro Acosta. However, he lost the front at the final lap. A second crash followed in Sunday’s race after serving a long lap penalty, again while positioned inside the top six and ahead of the other Honda riders.
“It was a promising weekend that we couldn’t finish in a good way. I was pushing to recover on corner entry what we lack on exit, and the front collapsed,” Mir explained.
From a technical standpoint, Mir highlighted a fundamental limitation of the Honda RC213V—insufficient rear grip. This forces him to compensate by increasing load on the front tyre during corner entry, raising the likelihood of front-end loss, particularly under race conditions.
“We need to improve the rear to ride in a more relaxed way with the front. If not, it will be difficult to fight with others without taking these risks,” he stated.
Compared to team-mate Luca Marini, who has delivered more consistent finishes, Mir’s approach remains inherently aggressive. This reflects his unwillingness to lower expectations, even when faced with technical constraints that increase the probability of errors.
Since joining Honda in 2023, Mir has consistently ranked among the most crash-prone riders on the grid. Although the RC213V has shown measurable improvement since the second half of 2025—including podium finishes at Motegi and Sepang—the balance between performance and stability remains unresolved.
Mir emphasized that altering his mindset is not an option, referencing previous seasons where reduced expectations negatively affected his competitiveness.
“I want to start the race knowing I have a chance. I don’t want to go back to a phase where I feel I don’t have one,” he said.
He further explained that the risk level increases significantly when riding in traffic, particularly due to modern MotoGP aerodynamics. Slipstream effects and heavier braking demands compress margins for error, especially for a machine lacking optimal stability.
“When I’m alone, I can be fast and relatively safe. But when following others, with the aero, you need to take more risks to stop the bike. If I have to recover positions, the risk doubles,” Mir added.
This situation underlines the ongoing technical challenge facing Honda as it works to restore competitiveness in MotoGP. Without meaningful gains in rear grip and overall balance, riders like Mir remain caught between maximizing performance and managing elevated crash risk. Heading into the next rounds, development of the RC213V will be critical in determining whether Honda can convert pace into consistent championship points.
Baca Juga
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Joan Mir mengungkap penyebab sering crash di MotoGP 2026 akibat kelemahan Honda RC213V dan tuntutan gaya balap agresif.
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