Joan Mir warned on 10 July that the Sachsenring will lay bare Honda’s tyre‑edge weakness, a problem that cost him a double DNF at Assen on 28 June. The Spaniard heads to Germany hoping the bike’s tighter‑section gains can offset the slip‑side issue.
What did Mir say about the bike?
Mir told reporters the RC213V feels competitive in the tighter parts of a circuit, a point he highlighted after Assen’s “some of the tighter sections” gave him brief flashes of speed. Yet he stressed the bike still loses confidence on the left‑hand side of the tyre when leaned high, a condition that dominates the Sachsenring layout.
Why is the German round critical for Honda?
Sachsenring’s lap is spent mostly on the throttle at high lean angles on the tyre’s edge. Mir believes that exposure will force Honda to address the handling gap before the next race. He added that a few weeks off after the German round will let the team recharge and test solutions.
How did recent results shape Mir’s outlook?
The double DNF at Assen left Mir without a single racing lap on 28 June, a stark contrast to his earlier confidence in tighter corners. The disappointment fuels his determination to prove the bike can be more than a handful of fast sectors.
What does teammate Luca Marini expect?
Luca Marini, Mir’s Honda HRC Castrol teammate, recalled his own comeback at Sachsenring last year, where a sixth‑place finish marked his best result for Honda after a Suzuka crash. Marini now aims to start stronger this weekend, targeting a Q2 spot and hoping the team’s “great job” this season translates into better race pace.
What’s next for Honda after Germany?
After the German GP, the calendar offers a brief pause before the next round. Mir expects the team to use that window to fine‑tune the tyre‑edge feel, hoping the improvements will carry over to upcoming tracks where high‑lean throttle work is equally demanding.
How will this affect the championship battle?
If Honda resolves the issue, Mir could climb the standings, turning the Sachsenring into a platform for points rather than a setback. Conversely, lingering problems may widen the gap to rivals who already enjoy stable handling on similar circuits.
The German MotoGP runs from 10 to 12 July at the Sachsenring, and Mir’s comments set the tone for a weekend where Honda’s engineering choices will be under the microscope.