Joan Mir Takes Risk by Giving Up Factory Status

Joan Mir has admitted that his move to Gresini Ducati for the 2027 MotoGP season is a deliberate risk taken to secure competitive machinery and revive his career.

The former MotoGP world champion will give up factory-team status after spending all eight of his premier-class seasons with Suzuki and then Honda. Mir has managed only two podiums across almost four seasons with the Japanese manufacturer.

Mir will follow the path of former team-mate Marc Marquez by moving to a satellite Ducati squad for the new 850cc and Pirelli era. Although the switch means sacrificing several benefits associated with a factory seat, he considers the sporting opportunity offered by Gresini to be the best available option.

Baca JugaJoan Mir Ambil Risiko Tinggalkan Status Pabrikan

“When you move to a satellite team, you give up many things. But it is also a move I wanted to make,” Mir said.

“It is a risky one because with a competitive package you expose yourself if you do not perform. But it is a risk I wanted to take. It is time to be competitive again,” he added.

Mir has secured a factory-specification bike for his two-year Gresini contract. The agreement gives him a direct opportunity to demonstrate that his decline in results at Honda was more closely linked to the competitiveness of the technical package than to any loss of ability.

The Spanish rider also stressed that his long run of crashes reflects the strength of his remaining ambition. He has continued pushing the limit despite repeatedly falling because he still wants to return to the level he believes he deserves.

“If I continue pushing, crashing almost every week, standing up and trying again, it is because I am still very hungry. I am doing this for myself,” Mir said, as his focus now turns towards preparing for the Gresini Ducati project and MotoGP’s new technical era in 2027.