{"id":466303,"date":"2026-02-08T11:09:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T11:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/466303\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T11:09:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T11:09:11","slug":"joan-mir-warns-we-are-far-after-ducati-sprint-pace-at-sepang-motogp-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/466303\/","title":{"rendered":"Joan Mir warns \u201cwe are far\u201d after Ducati Sprint pace at Sepang MotoGP Test"},"content":{"rendered":"

Joan Mir was satisfied with his Sprint simulation on the final day of the Sepang MotoGP test. At least until comparing it with the best Ducatis.<\/p>\n

Mir had put Honda<\/a> on top of the timesheets with a 1m 56s time attack on day two, a lap that eventually gave him fifth overall at the end of the three-day outing.<\/p>\n

However, the final day also saw most leading riders complete Sprint race simulations, including Mir, where the gap became clearer.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was good, but if you check the pace of the Ducati guys, especially Alex, we are far,\u201d Joan Mir<\/a> admitted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe made an improvement compared to last year. I have been able to ride in those 1m 58s for most of the run, until the last two or three laps.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s not a bad pace, but I think Ducati made a step this pre-season and they are very strong again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Leading <\/p>\n

Leading Sprint Simulations, Sepang MotoGP Test<\/p>\n

Removing Mir\u2019s final lap to create the same ten-lap distance as the Ducatis would put Mir 9.096s behind Alex Marquez, a margin that would have equated to sixth place in last October\u2019s Sprint race.<\/p>\n

Gresini\u2019s Marquez, now running factory-spec machinery, also caught attention with a blistering 1m 57.295s early in his Sprint simulation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is almost a time attack!\u201d Mir said, before explaining why such a lap is not sustainable for a long run on the Honda.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf I made that lap time, the next lap I would make 2m 01, because I\u2019d cook the tyre completely! It\u2019s a bit what happens normally in the time attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mir, who crashed out of last October\u2019s Sprint but recovered to score a podium in the grand prix, described the latest RC213V as \u201cslightly better in every area\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t make any revolutions, but small evolutions in many areas have allowed us to improve a little bit and ride in better lap times,\u201d he said. \u201cBut it\u2019s not that we made a huge step in one area.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Joan <\/p>\n

Joan Mir, 2026 Sepang MotoGP Test (Gold&Goose).<\/p>\n

“Top five, top four – but not a lot more”<\/p>\n

Asked to identify the bike\u2019s main weakness, the 2020 MotoGP<\/a> world champion was clear: \u201cGrip, we are still very far.<\/p>\n

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\u201cGrip is the only thing we should focus on a bit more. Because with more grip, you can control the spin more, your drop on the tyre is less, so it\u2019s everything.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the end, today we didn\u2019t make any time attack. We had a bit of trouble with a couple of pieces that were not working properly, and we had to adapt a bit the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut in terms of race pace\u2026 I think if there is a race tomorrow, I think we can fight for the top five, top four – but not a lot more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Team-mate Luca Marini was the next best Honda rider, finishing the test 13th overall.<\/p>\n

The final pre-season test takes place at Buriram on February 21-22, after which Honda will need to choose their final engine spec for the 2026 season, after moving from D to C in the concession rankings.
\u00a0<\/p>\n

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