Joan Mir, the 2020 MotoGP champion, has dismissed Honda's best result of the 2025 season—Johann Zarco's fifth place at the Spanish Grand Prix—as not reflecting real improvement. Mir insists the Japanese manufacturer still faces critical issues with acceleration and cornering stability.
Despite Honda achieving its best result of the 2025 MotoGP season at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez—Johann Zarco finishing fifth—former world champion Joan Mir believes the performance does not signal genuine progress for the Japanese manufacturer.
What happened at Jerez?
Zarco, riding for the LCR Honda satellite team, started from the front row and battled Ducati and Aprilia riders for much of Sunday’s race. However, tire degradation in the final laps prevented him from improving on fifth place, according to Motorsport.com.
Why does Joan Mir downplay the result?
Mir, who rides for the factory Repsol Honda team, stated that Zarco’s result changes nothing in the big picture. “It’s great to see a Honda at the front, but it doesn’t mean we’ve solved our problems. We still have the same weaknesses in acceleration and cornering stability,” Mir said.
Was Zarco’s performance an exception or a sign?
Zarco showed strong early pace but suffered from tire wear toward the end. Mir noted that the performance reflects Zarco’s individual skill more than any improvement in the bike. “Every bike has strengths and weaknesses. At Jerez, the track suited Zarco’s style, but that won’t apply to every circuit,” he added.
What are Honda’s core challenges?
Honda has struggled all season to keep pace with Ducati and Aprilia, particularly in electronics and horsepower. Mir, who has also endured modest results, believes the team needs radical solutions, not superficial tweaks. “We’re working hard, but the gap to our rivals is still big. We need a quantum leap,” he said.
What does this mean for the rest of the season?
With European rounds at Le Mans and Mugello approaching, Mir expects Honda’s struggles to continue unless major updates are introduced. He stressed that the focus is now on collecting data and analyzing it to develop the bike for next season.
Fan and expert reactions
Opinions among MotoGP followers are divided: some see the Jerez result as a glimmer of hope, while others view it as a flash in the pan. Analysts point out that the speed gap between Zarco and the leaders was evident in the final laps, confirming the difficulty of challenging for podiums.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Honda achieve its best result of the season at Jerez?
Yes, Johann Zarco finished fifth at the Spanish Grand Prix, Honda's best result in MotoGP 2025 so far.
Why does Joan Mir downplay the significance of this result?
Mir believes the bike's fundamental problems—poor acceleration and cornering stability—remain unsolved, and Zarco's performance was more about his individual skill and track suitability.
What are the main challenges Honda faces currently?
Honda trails Ducati and Aprilia in electronics and horsepower, requiring radical updates to close the performance gap.
What does Mir expect for the rest of the season?
He expects continued struggles unless major updates are introduced, with the team focusing on data collection for next year's bike.
Sources
- Motorsport.com — Why Joan Mir wasn’t encouraged by Honda’s best MotoGP result of the year
