At the age of 26, with less MotoGP starts than any other rider in his rookie class, Joan Mir has already experienced a full career trajectory in MotoGP. He has seen early success, culminating in a championship title, followed by a decline and even contemplated retirement. Mir’s career has mirrored that of other MotoGP riders who have shown promise but have been plagued by injuries and disappointing performances. In his final season with Suzuki, Mir struggled and finished 15th in the standings. After switching to Honda, his performances did not improve, as he continued to crash and struggle with injuries. However, with the departure of Marc Marquez and a more compliant bike, Mir’s crashing has been reduced. Despite his setbacks, Mir has shown glimpses of his potential and has been one of the top Honda riders in terms of performance. He acknowledges that he needs time to regain his confidence and believes that he can return to his previous level of competitiveness. Mir’s 2024 season is crucial for his MotoGP career, as it could either be a relaunch or the beginning of the end. He has already shown improvement in testing, with faster lap times and a better feeling with the bike. However, there are still doubts about whether these improvements will translate into competitive results. Mir’s future with Honda is uncertain, as his contract expires this year and he is the only works rider on the team. While there is no pressure from the team, Mir himself is unsure about his future and wants to see if the changes made by Honda are enough to satisfy him. Ultimately, Mir’s path in MotoGP will depend on his performances and whether he can reclaim his championship form. He must lead Honda from the beginning of the season and stay on the bike to prove his worth in a highly competitive field.
Image: Duncan WhiteStoffel Vandoorne of DS Penske believed that his opportunity to win the Monaco E-Prix was ruined by the second deployment of the Safety Car towards the...
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