The 2020 world champion grappled with engine issues during the sprint in Qatar, ultimately clinching 15th place as the leading Honda rider. Despite Honda’s extensive modifications to the RC213V, Mir highlighted persisting concerns, particularly with front-end confidence, which limited his ability to push the bike to its full potential.
He stressed the necessity of navigating cautiously due to the narrow margin for error with the front end. Mir’s teammate, Luca Marini, encountered similar challenges, finishing at the bottom in his debut for HRC due to difficulties in maneuvering the bike and experiencing slower-than-expected performance compared to previous outings.
Acknowledging the dominance of European manufacturers, Marini remained hopeful about Honda’s prospects, underscoring the importance of narrowing the gap through ongoing advancements.
