Mir: Honda expectations increase for Portuguese GP after podium at weaker circuit Sepang

Honda factory rider Joan Mir says his expectations for this weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix have gone up a notch following his MotoGP podium at a traditionally weak circuit for his bike.

The Spaniard finished third last time out at the Malaysian Grand Prix and, not only was that his second podium in four races, but it came at a track Mir said was not suited to the fast-improving Honda RC213V.

“It’s true that the expectations on this track are normally a little bit higher than at Sepang, I think,” said Mir in the Thursday press conference at Portimao, where the Portuguese race takes place.

“Sepang is historically a track where we struggle…and we were able to do a good weekend [there]. So I think that here…why not? I think our confidence is at the best possible level of the season.”

Reflecting on some of the spectacular riding he displayed in Malaysia, the 2020 world champion said he was digging deeper as the bike recovers rapidly from a long period in the doldrums.

“Honestly, when you have the option of fighting for something that is worth it, you always give something more, no? I think that’s unconsciously something that is happening to us at the moment,” he said. “We are able to give something more because we are in a good mood and we know that if we do a perfect weekend we are able to achieve some very good results.”

Mir was spectacular on the brakes in Malaysia

Photo by: Hazrin Yeob Men Shah / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

But Mir said he may have to disappoint fans by trading the sideways-on style seen at Sepang for a smoother approach. The goal would be to find a more sustainable level of pace in Portugal and at the Valencia finale.

“I hope that the [fans] enjoy it from the outside. I’m enjoying it too, but to find that consistency, probably we need to slow down a bit!

“It’s not possible to attack at 120% all race long, so we have to work a bit on that. We have to try to be a little bit more calm, with a bit more margin. I think that will give us more consistency and this is what we have to find in the last two races.”

Mir also commented on the progress Honda has taken in terms of speed on the straights, which was again on display in Malaysia.

“Well, it’s true that in the past we had a lack of top speed and lack of acceleration that was part of the failure that we were living. We worked a lot on that – not just on the top speed side but also on the torque delivery and how the engine was working.

“From last year to this year at the beginning of the year was the biggest step. And then during the season, we were receiving some upgrades so that everything on the bike was able to work together better.”

Joan Mir, Honda HRC & Fermin Aldeguer, Gresini Racing

Photo by: Shameem Fahath / Motorsport Network

Mir’s team-mate Luca Marini, who has also shown good speed in recent races but has yet to match his colleague’s podium results this season, was also upbeat ahead of the Portimao weekend.

“Yes, it will be very interesting here because [Portugal] was the second race at the beginning of the last season, so the progress that we made until now is unbelievable. It will just be a pleasure to ride the bike now on this track, which is amazing.

“I’m aiming for a good result…we have done a very good second half of the season, so [I’ll] just keep working to achieve the kind of result we did in these last races.”