JOAN MIR WILL MISS JAPAN AND INDONESIA MOTOGP RACES FOR HONDA

Honda has confirmed that Joan Mir will miss the Japanese and Indonesian MotoGP races. The Tokyo-based team said the 2020 world champion remains sidelined after retiring from the San Marino Grand Prix on 13 September, when he pulled out on the fifth lap. Mir then travelled to Barcelona on the same Sunday and underwent medical tests the following day to assess his physical condition. With the results still guiding his recovery, Honda has decided he will not be part of the upcoming rounds in Japan and Indonesia.

Crash.net reports that the decision means Mir will also miss the first two races of the Asian swing, with the Motegi event scheduled for 2–4 October. The outlet adds that Mir had already been forced to sit out the Austrian Grand Prix due to illness, and that during San Marino he had described himself as being at “50 per cent” of his maximum energy levels a week earlier.

MotoGP chief medical officer Angel Charte said Mir has been dealing with symptoms that have affected his energy and performance for several months, with a recent increase in severity. Charte said the underlying cause is still unconfirmed at this time, adding: “Joan Mir has been experiencing a variety of symptoms impacting his energy and performance for several months with a recent increase in severity, the cause is still unconfirmed at this time.”

Charte also explained that, because of the persistence and severity of the symptoms, Mir has been undergoing a series of tests at Dexeus University Hospital in an effort to reach a definitive diagnosis. He said the medical advice is to follow strict rest and undergo various treatments for the next 15 days, and concluded: “Consequently, I have advised him against participating in the Japanese and Indonesian Grands Prix. His condition will continue to be closely monitored by my team.”

Speedweek adds that Mir’s investigations were carried out at Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona under the care of Charte and his medical team. It also notes that Honda has not yet announced who will replace Mir in Japan (2–4 October) and Indonesia (9–11 October).

In Austria, Mir was replaced by Takaaki Nakagami. Speedweek reports that Nakagami will ride a wildcard at Motegi, and that he finished the Spielberg race in 13th place on Sunday, making him the second-best Honda rider after Johann Zarco. It also states that on Monday he took part in an 850cc test at the Red Bull Ring with Pirelli tyres.

The report also outlines other potential options Honda could use to cover Mir’s absence. It mentions Aleix Espargaro and Cal Crutchlow as possibilities. Espargaro had been injured earlier in the year after a crash while testing at Sepang, but was recently back on track and testing at Mugello. Crutchlow, meanwhile, has raced multiple times this year aboard the RC213V for LCR Honda while Johann Zarco was out injured, and Zarco’s return saw Crutchlow return to the sidelines.

Speedweek also says it is currently unclear whether Mir will be able to race at the Australia Grand Prix at the end of October and the final rounds of the 2026 season. It adds that on 1 December in Valencia there will be an official test with the 850 prototypes, with the plan for Mir to ride a Gresini Ducati for the first time.