News
Joan Mir Out of Japan and Indonesia GPs
Honda HRC Castrol rider Joan Mir will miss the upcoming Japanese and Indonesian Grands Prix due to illness, following medical advice to rest for 15 days.
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The MotoGP grid will be missing a former world champion for the next two rounds, as the Honda HRC Castrol team has confirmed that rider Joan Mir will not take part in the upcoming Japanese and Indonesian Grands Prix.
The decision was made based on medical advice, which has recommended a period of strict rest for the Spanish rider for the next 15 days due to an ongoing illness.
What happened to Joan Mir?
Unlike an injury from a crash on track, Mir’s absence is due to a persistent illness that requires him to take time away from the demanding environment of a Grand Prix weekend to recover fully.
In an official statement, his team confirmed the situation and his withdrawal from the next two events on the calendar. This is a significant blow for both the rider and the team, especially given the timing of the races he will miss.
Who is Joan Mir?
For those new to the sport, Joan Mir is one of the top names on the grid. He is the 2020 MotoGP World Champion, a title he won while riding for the Suzuki team before they departed the sport at the end of 2022.
Since 2023, he has been a rider for Honda’s official ‘factory’ team — the main squad run directly by the manufacturer. As a world champion riding for one of the most successful brands in history, his presence is a key part of the Honda project.
What does this mean for the Honda team?
Losing a rider of Mir’s experience is a serious setback for any team. For the Honda HRC Castrol squad, it means they will be without one of their two main sources of feedback and data during two important race weekends.
His teammate, Luca Marini, will now be the sole focus for the factory effort in the garage. This puts more pressure on Marini to gather information that helps the team develop the bike, as well as trying to score championship points.
As of now, the team has not announced whether a replacement rider will fill Mir’s seat. Often, teams will call up their official Test riderA rider employed by a manufacturer to develop the bike away from race weekends, who sometimes races as a wildcard or a replacement.Read the full guide → to stand in, but they can also choose to compete with just one rider.
How does this affect the championship?
While Mir is not in the fight for the 2026 riders’ title, every point matters for his final position in the standings. Missing two full race weekends, which include both a Sprint raceA short Saturday race over half the distance, awarding points to the top nine finishers.Read the full guide → and a main Grand Prix, means he has no chance to add to his tally.
It also impacts Honda’s standing in the Constructors’ and Teams’ championships. The Constructors’ title is awarded to the most successful manufacturer (like Honda or Ducati), while the Teams’ title is for the individual two-rider squad (like Honda HRC Castrol). With one fewer bike on track, their chances of scoring valuable points in these competitions are reduced.
Why is the timing particularly difficult?
The first race Mir will miss is the Grand Prix of Japan at the Mobility Resort Motegi. This is Honda’s home race, held at a circuit the company actually owns. It is arguably the most important event of the year for the Japanese manufacturer.
Appearing at their home Grand Prix without one of their main factory riders is undoubtedly a disappointment for Honda, its staff, and its thousands of local fans. Following that, the PaddockThe fenced-off working area behind the pits where teams, hospitality and motorhomes are based.Read the full guide → travels to the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit for the Indonesian Grand Prix, another crucial event in a huge market for motorcycle sales.
We wish Joan Mir a full and speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the grid soon.
Quick Takeaways
- Honda factory rider Joan Mir will miss the Japanese and Indonesian GPs due to illness.
- As a former world champion, his absence is a significant loss of experience for the team.
- Missing the Japanese Grand Prix is particularly unfortunate as it is Honda’s home race.
- Honda has not yet announced if a replacement rider will take his place for the two events.
Quick questions
- Q.Who will ride Joan Mir's bike in Japan and Indonesia?
- Honda has not yet announced a replacement rider. Teams sometimes use their official test rider to stand in for an absent rider, but they can also choose to enter only one bike.
- Q.Is Joan Mir fighting for the 2026 championship?
- No. While he is a former MotoGP World Champion (2020), Joan Mir is not in contention for the 2026 title. Missing these races will affect his final position in the overall standings.
- Q.What is a 'factory' team in MotoGP?
- A factory team, like Honda HRC Castrol, is the official team run directly by the manufacturer (in this case, Honda). They typically get the newest bike developments first and are considered the top-tier teams on the grid.
- Q.Why is the Japanese Grand Prix special for Honda?
- The Japanese GP is Honda's 'home race'. The circuit, Mobility Resort Motegi, is owned by Honda, making it a very important event for the Japanese manufacturer, its staff, and its local fans.