MotoGP Portugal J2, Joan Mir (Honda Q20/S14) is (almost) happy: “We took a big risk”

Joan mir, who had already done well in Portugal for his first with Honda last year, has found color again. After failed qualifications for the contingent of the winged firm, the 2020 world champion bounced back during the race, failing to 14th position but with a pace far from ridiculous, not far from that of the top 10. These are undeniable progress is a certainty, but we must still remember that he finished 11th in the Grand Prix last year. Can he do better later? Nothing is less sure.

The last four places. This is where the Honda men were after qualifying yesterday at the Portimao circuit. An ultimately extremely rare fact, despite the decadence of the brand since 2020. Mir, like Luca Marini before him, can only admit it. « We couldn't make the step forward we needed and therefore suffered in qualifying ». But the most important thing remains the two rounds. And during the Sprint, a bit like in Qatar, an intelligent race made him progress in the hierarchy.

 

 

The soul of a champion

 

He is happy about it, and rightly so. You have to be satisfied with these moments when you know the context. “Our race went pretty well in the end after taking a big risk with the settings. It’s still a new bike and we learn things with each outing” he added.

 

 

Obviously, the qualifications quite limit the potential of the RCV. « In the race, my pace was close to that of the top ten, but starting so far back limits you. We must be satisfied with the progress made in the race because we managed to improve our pace by a second. » There are positives therefore, even if his teammate Luca Marini struggles much more than him.

Do you think Joan Mir can renew herself and take Honda to better rankings? Tell us in the comments!

Sprint result at the 2024 MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Honda Repsol