SANCHEZ SAYS MIR AND FERNANDEZ’S RESULTS DESERVE MORE RECOGNITION

Manager Paco Sanchez has defended Joan Mir and Raul Fernandez, arguing that both riders’ achievements have been undervalued as they secured rides for next season. In an interview with Speedweek, he said their results—not his own work—earned them those opportunities: “The credit belongs solely to two riders who are both top-class.”

Sanchez pointed to Mir’s rapid rise through the ranks. The Spaniard won Moto3 races in his debut season in 2016, was named rookie of the year and claimed the world title the following year. After one season in Moto2, he moved to MotoGP with Suzuki and became champion in his second year, in 2020. Sanchez rejected attempts to diminish that title because the season was shortened by the pandemic, calling that view “absurd.”

Mir then finished third in the 2021 championship, despite Suzuki lacking front and rear ride-height devices, according to Sanchez. Suzuki’s subsequent withdrawal forced Mir to join Honda at what his manager described as the worst possible time. Sanchez said Mir’s frequent crashes reflect his determination to extract more speed than the bike can deliver. “He tries, race after race,” he said, adding that Mir deserves recognition for repeatedly putting the Honda on the podium and fighting near the front.

Sanchez also argued that Mir’s earlier accomplishments have been overshadowed by the rivalry between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. He praised both as legends, but said the attention surrounding them has pushed other riders’ successes into the background. Mir, he stressed, became a world champion on a Suzuki that had not won a race for two decades before his arrival.

Fernandez, meanwhile, has rebuilt his prospects after coming through a difficult period and starting from the back of the field. Sanchez highlighted the Spaniard’s late-season surge last year, including a victory in Australia and a podium in Indonesia. Fernandez opened the new season with another podium in Thailand, won the Mugello sprint and added further podium finishes before taking victory in the Silverstone grand prix.

Despite that run, Sanchez said Fernandez had not received a contract-extension offer after the opening one or two rounds. He was surprised that the rider’s results had not been valued more highly, particularly given that Fernandez was not on a factory bike. “In MotoGP, nobody gives anything away,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said he did not see himself as having rescued Mir’s career or secured either rider’s future. In his view, their performances speak for themselves—and those who refuse to recognise their ability should “look elsewhere.”