Honda continues to hesitate about signing Joan Mir: Manager Paco Sanchez stresses that there is no plan B and Joan Mir is threatened with a year’s break if in doubt
The future of former world champion Joan Mir remains open. The 2020 champion still does not have a job for the 2023 MotoGP season. According to rumours, Mir is already in agreement with Honda and will become Pol Espargaro’s successor in the factory team. Honda, however, has not yet confirmed this transfer.
Mir manager Paco Sanchez can’t say what the problem is. “Alberto Puig should be asked about it. I don’t know what the reason is for postponing the decision for so long,” Sanchez wondered on the YouTube podcast ‘TR MotoGP’. After the Suzuki exit, there is no alternative to Honda. With Yamaha, Ducati, Aprilia and KTM, the factory teams are practically taken.
According to Sanchez, Mir has no problem becoming Marc Marquez’s teammate. “Joan is not afraid of anything. He knows Marc has been riding the bike all his life. At the same time, he knows that he will sign with HRC or stay home. There is no plan B,” underlines the manager.
Does money play a role? “Of course Joan has different financial demands than a rookie. He is a world champion. Honda is the biggest manufacturer in the world in my eyes. But it can always happen that you find yourself in a difficult position,” commented Sanchez.
Current Honda form doesn’t deter Joan Mir’s manager
Currently Honda is in a slump. “Honda’s number one rider is struggling with serious problems. These are unforeseen circumstances that are nobody’s fault. When you lose your top rider who led the bike to success, you also go off track in terms of development,” Sanchez shows understanding for the prevailing situation.
“They already lost Pedrosa. Then came Lorenzo and Espargaro, who ride differently. Pol’s riding style is based on the rear wheel, Marc’s on the front. Changes were made but they couldn’t get the results they wanted. When you are in a downward spiral, everything goes wrong,” said the Mir manager.
“I hope Marc will be back soon. He is an icon of the sport. We’ve already lost Valentino (Rossi) and we can’t lose Marc too,” the rider-manager worries about the external perception of MotoGP.
But why is Honda hesitating so long to confirm Mir for 2023? Is HRC looking for a new talent in Moto2? “Acosta is not the reason because he has to ride another year in Moto2. I don’t think he is prepared for the jump to MotoGP,” commented Mir’s manager.
Sanchez cannot imagine a promotion for Moto3 world champion Acosta. “He is a great rider and has a good future ahead of him, but he still needs experience. You can’t put the burden of Honda on the shoulders of a young guy. He is not stupid,” said Sanchez.
