Joan Mir admits Honda not ready to win in MotoGP: ‘We have to walk before we can run’

Joan Mir says it is too early for Honda to start thinking about winning races in MotoGP again, insisting the Japanese manufacturer must consolidate its recent progress before aiming higher.

Honda has enjoyed a resurgence in 2025 after enduring its worst spell in MotoGP in decades, with last weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix marking its fourth podium finish of the season.

With 266 points in the manufacturers’ standings, it has more than tripled its tally from last year to move ahead of Yamaha, while also closing the gap to its European rivals.

However, Mir admits there are still key areas where Honda must improve the RC213V, noting that a lack of grip continues to contribute to his frequent crashes.

Asked when he believes he can fight for his first victory with Honda, the 2020 world champion said: “That I don't know. First of all, to start running, we have to walk.

“It's important that we consolidate these podium places a little bit because I feel like [either] we finish on the podium or we finish on the ground, and this is not possible.

“We have to improve that; try to work on the bike a bit more, try to make it a little bit more stable, and try to improve the grip slightly more. This will make the bike slightly easier to ride - a bike that you don't have to push 150% every lap. It's so easy to make a mistake [when you are pushing hard].

“It's hard to improve that, because every time you reach a better level, it's more difficult to improve [the bike].

“Improving the actual package will be difficult, but I think that we have a margin. The engineers are very good, and I trust Honda a lot - and the effort that they are making to be back on top as soon as possible.

“But first of all, before winning, I would like to [finish] more constantly in these places.”

Joan Mir, Honda HRC

Photo by: Asif Zubairi / Motorsport Network

Although LCR’s Johann Zarco dominated the rain-hit French Grand Prix earlier this year, Honda hasn’t won a dry-weather race since Alex Rins’ success for the satellite squad at the Americas Grand Prix in early 2023. The factory HRC team last won a grand prix at Misano in 2021 with Marc Marquez - a drought that has now stretched to four years.

While victories have remained elusive, partly due to Ducati’s remarkable consistency over the last few years, Honda has made tangible progress in 2025, with a post-summer break upgrade further lifting the team.

Mir’s team-mate Luca Marini praised Honda for not taking a single step backward in 2025, while acknowledging there are still areas to improve before next season.

“We worked well in every detail, in every aspect,” said the Italian, who finished inside the top five in both Hungary and Indonesia on the upgraded RC213V.

“We solved the braking a little bit, we solved the entry phase [of the corner] that was a problem at the beginning, and we solved mid-corner and turning.

“Still, sometimes, we don't have enough grip - edge grip. This is something that we are going to keep working on. But on the drive, the aero is now very good; the bike in the wheelie phase is good. On aero, we made a step, but still there is so much room for improvement.

“All the crew and all the engineers started to work very well with a good synergy - along with the mechanics.

“There was never a step back. Every time Honda brought some stuff, we tried [it]. If it was good, we kept it on the bike, and if it was bad, we threw it away and another piece maybe arrived [in its place].

“At every GP we made a little step and we never went back[wards]. This was the key for being here [and] now fighting for top five.”

Read Also:

MotoGPJoan Mir “proud” to pass a Ducati on Sepang's straight as Honda engine improves

MotoGPWhy Honda’s Alberto Puig believes “Ducati remains the benchmark in MotoGP"

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team