<br><div> <p data-gtm-element-container="modulo-texto-link" class="paragraph"><strong>Honda </strong>took a giant step last year in its resurgence. The most awarded brand in the history of <strong>MotoGP </strong>He had been fighting at the bottom of the grid for many years and in 2025 he managed to come out on top with two podiums. <strong>Joanna Mir,</strong> first in Japan and then in Malaysia. Now, in 2026, the Spaniard wants to continue dreaming big with those on the golden wing and the goal is very ambitious.</p> <span class="content-ad-module "> <span class="content-ad visible-md irr-container hidden-ad"><span class="ad-unit irr"> </span></span><span class="content-html"><span class="intext-md hidden-xs hidden-md"> </span></span></span><span class="content-ad-module "> <span class="content-ad visible-xs roba-container hidden-ad"><span class="ad-unit roba"> </span></span></span><p data-gtm-element-container="modulo-texto-link" class="paragraph">"Last year was a year of transition, where we managed to have good races in the final stretch and we were able to demonstrate my potential at certain times, not always. We were improving the base of the bike and now the engineers had some time to sort out all this information and work on the weak points that forced us to go to the limit on certain tracks. <strong>I am very optimistic. This is the year in which I feel the bike is most prepared</strong>also because I have been here for several years. I think we are all taking the project forward and I am happy because every effort has its reward, although I am cautious”, he explained at the Honda presentation press conference. </p> <span class="dynamic-ad-module "/><span class="content-ad-module "> <span class="content-ad visible-xs irr-container hidden-ad"><span class="ad-unit irr"> </span></span><span class="content-html"><span class="intext-xs hidden-xs hidden-md"/></span></span><p data-gtm-element-container="modulo-texto-link" class="paragraph">Another reason for Joan Mir's optimism is Aleix Espargaró. <strong>Honda tester finished Malaysia shakedown with fastest time</strong> and he said it's the best MotoGP he's ever ridden. The crossing of sensations with that of Granollers allows us to look higher, at Joan Mir.</p> <span class="dynamic-ad-module "/><span class="content-ad-module "> <span class="content-ad visible-xs roba-container hidden-ad"><span class="ad-unit roba"> </span></span></span><p data-gtm-element-container="modulo-texto-link" class="paragraph">“The team focused on improving the weaknesses that existed, on bringing things to improve the bike. <strong>Aleix found a bike that had very good balance, not very good in one area and bad in another.</strong>. It's a bike that works well in all areas of Sepang. But hey, from here we have to look for the limits and see if the sensations are the same in other circuits. The feedback with Aleix has been good. "He is optimistic and motivated because he believes he can play a good role."</p> <span class="dynamic-ad-module "/><span class="content-ad-module "> <span class="content-ad visible-xs roba-container hidden-ad"><span class="ad-unit roba"> </span></span></span><span class="content-free-html "><span class="block-element container-center"> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="es"> <a href="https://twitter.com/AleixEspargaro/status/2016869899751055722"/> </blockquote> </span></span><span class="content-subtitle-simple "> <h2 class="subtitle">The rush with contracts</h2></span><p data-gtm-element-container="modulo-texto-link" class="paragraph">The MotoGP market is absolutely crazy because almost all the riders are out of contract this year. The season hasn't started yet and there are already several rumors that some signings are closed, although <strong>official there is only Bezzecchi's renewal for Aprilia</strong>. This means that there is a big rush to find space, something that Mir must manage now and also think about achieving good results in 2026.</p> <span class="content-ad-module "> <span class="content-ad visible-xs roba-container hidden-ad"><span class="ad-unit roba"> </span></span></span><p data-gtm-element-container="modulo-texto-link" class="paragraph">"It's very difficult to find the balance between bringing the bike home and getting great results when there's such a rush with contracts. I think you're always looking for those short-term results and I'm going to put all my effort into that.<strong>Or I consider myself a pilot desperate to get contracts and I will continue in my line</strong>. And if the results are achieved, I am convinced that the offers will come.”</p> <span class="dynamic-ad-module "/><p data-gtm-element-container="modulo-texto-link" class="paragraph">"Right now I think all drivers would agree with not being able to sign a contract early. No one likes to close everything so early, unless you are very clear about it. If you close the contract so early, it could happen that somewhere someone regrets it." <strong>I think the ideal was when we arrived more or less in Jerez and it was already clear</strong>. <strong>But if we go back, we'll all have to wake up</strong> and play our strategy in the best way"</p> <span class="dynamic-ad-module "/> <figure class="composite-image image-container " data-gtm-element-container="button-gallery"> <div class="picture-wrapper"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 638px)" data-srcset="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/files/content_image_desktop_filter/uploads/2026/02/02/69806dd3aa482.jpeg" width="544" height="363"> <source media="(min-width: 480px)" data-srcset="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/files/content_image_intermediate_filter/uploads/2026/02/02/69806dd3aa482.jpeg" width="607" height="405"> </source></source></picture><span class="visible-md inimage-container "><span class="ad-unit inimage"> </span></span><span class="visible-xs inimage-container "><span class="ad-unit inimage"> </span></span> </div> <figcaption class="figure-caption"> <p class="caption-title ">Joan Mir and Luca Marini, official Honda riders in 2026</p> <span class="caption-author ">Honda</span> </figcaption> </figure> <span class="content-related content-border related-double " data-gtm-element-container="modulo-noticias-relacionadas"> <span class="module-supra-title"> <span>Also read</span></span> <span class="related-double-module-container "> </span><span class="related-double-module-container "> </span></span><p data-gtm-element-container="modulo-texto-link" class="paragraph">"Every year you fight with your teammate. The fact is that everyone has to have their own goals. More than fighting with Luca, I would like to fight for podiums and victories. If that is with my teammate, for the sake of HRC, it would be incredible. <strong>I don't know if Quartararo's rumors are true, but I have to focus on mine</strong>", he expressed in conclusion.</p> </div><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><script type="script/gg"> gg.didomi.doWhenConsent(!window.didomiBypass, 'c:facebooka-frU9M5JY', function () { console.log('facebook-ad-def'); !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '682047071976590'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); }); </script>