I deserve to stay in Honda’s factory MotoGP team for 2027

Joan Mir believes his performances and underlying potential warrant another term at Honda’s factory squad in MotoGP’s 850cc era.

HRC remains one of the last few factory squads to finalise its 2027 line-up, with Honda yet to decide who will join the incoming Fabio Quartararo aboard the RC214V.

Mir has been part of the factory set-up since 2023 and, after initially struggling for both performance and motivation, he helped the squad return to the podium at Motegi and Sepang last year.

However, Motorsport.com understands that neither he nor his team-mate Luca Marini was offered a contract renewal as of last month’s US Grand Prix. The situation is further complicated by Honda’s plans to expand its presence to six bikes next year, potentially by bringing Tech3 into its satellite roster. 

While that could theoretically create more opportunities within the manufacturer’s stable, Mir made it clear that his priority is on retaining his factory seat next year.

“I don’t think I’d deserve to race for any team other than the official Honda team,” he said.

“I’m not here to ask for anything. I think I’m a rider who can guarantee that, when the bike is working, I’ll be up front. That’s what we have to aim for.

«Also, I need to find a project that motivates me. If something doesn’t motivate me, I won’t do it. It’s that simple. This isn’t the beginning of my racing career, where anything goes. 

“If I’m going to do something, it’s because it makes sense, and we’re moving forward, and we’re going all out, because I’m proving that I’m fast. 

“From here on out, as for the things I can’t control, we’ll have to see, but I think I’m giving more than enough reasons to have a good bike next year.»

Marini’s 2027 ambitions

Honda’s signing of Quartararo earlier this year means either Mir or Marini will have to make way for the Frenchman. There also remains a possibility that Honda will drop both its current riders, with the likes of LCR’s Diogo Moreira and Moto2 racer David Alonso waiting in the wings.

The choice between Mir and Marini remains difficult. While 2025 showed that Mir has a higher ceiling, Marini is highly valued by the top brass at Honda for his technical knowhow.

Marini was previously in discussions with Yamaha to replace Quartararo, but Motorsport.com revealed earlier this month that the Iwata-based brand has opted for Ai Ogura instead, shutting the door for the Italian.

Asked whether Honda’s ambitions to have three teams on the grid will help his cause of continuing with the Japanese manufacturer, he said: “I haven’t heard anything about that.

But, in any case, it won’t make much of a difference to me if Honda puts six bikes on the track next year. What I want is to stay with the factory team. We’re doing a great job; the bike has clearly taken a step forward.”

He added: “From a manufacturer’s point of view, more bikes on track is better. More data and more chances to fight for better results.

“I’m focused on my job and what I need to do here. It will be fantastic to continue with Honda and the factory team because we are doing a great job in my opinion. We did a fantastic step forward in these couple of years. 

“It will be nice to complete the circle and try to fight for the podiums in the next few years.”

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— The Motorsport.com Team