New year, new colors for world champion Joan Mir. The ex Suzuki and Honda rider show the first images and a video full of grit.
The contract with Suzuki expired on December 31, 2022, until then Joan Mir he could not show himself in public alongside a new brand. The new year has begun, and the countdown to the next MotoGP pre-season test to be held in February in Malaysia, and Repsol Honda immediately shows off the new Majorcan rider with the HRC colours. After the disappointing two years of Pol Espargarò, the Japanese team has decided to change gears by investing in a world champion (2020).
In a video published by the Honda communication office, he is seen handing an envelope to the rider containing a photo album. There are snapshots of all the riders who have won with this marque, including Mick Doohan, Alex Crivillé, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, Marc Marquez… Then a blank page arrives, Joan Mir takes out a camera and wants to apply his photo. The message is clear: the goal for 2023 is to win the MotoGP World Championship.
Joan Mir aims for the MotoGP title
Ambitious dreams for Honda and the Spanish champion, it couldn’t be otherwise when you get on the bike of the strongest MotoGP brand in the world from an economic point of view. To achieve the goal, a first big step will be needed by the racing department, which has promised important updates for the next test in Malaysia. After the last outing in Valencia, Marc Marquez he was not at all satisfied with the “state of health” of the RC213V, but the top management assured that he will be satisfied in the Sepang test.
For her part, Joan Mir was able to carry out the test on 8 November astride the Honda with a “total black” livery to avoid interference with the sponsors. The day before you had the opportunity to chat with the engineers, with the team manager Alberto Puig, the test driver Stefan Bradl, as shown by the recent images posted on the official channels. But one day is too little to release useful feedback to the technical team, so development revolves around Marc Marquez.
It will not be an easy challenge for the 2020 champion who, following the exit of the Suzuki brand from the World Championship, has opted for a two-year contract with the Honda. There couldn’t have been a better offer, from a financial and prestige point of view. But the 2023 prototype remains an unknown and sharing the garage with Marc Marquez has never been easy for anyone.
