The trouble has only intensified as the bad Joan Mir 2025 MotoGP season has followed another excruciating crash of the 2020 world champion at French Grand Prix. At Le Mans, Mir was entangled in a disorganized event during the first lap that cost him his right hand, which was broken, and hurt his neck, which caused him pain. What had already been causing a miserable campaign has since become a crisis in full.
Being delayed by 15th position on grid, Mir was on the right side out of the right moment at the beginning of the race when Francesco Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini crashed in the first chicane. Their collision threw Mir out of Honda RC213V, unleashing him out of the race even before the start of the first loop. The Spaniard was ultimately found to have broken his hand-an injury which might place him on the sidelines more than one or other injury would.
For Mir the crash acts as a brutal reminder of how harsh MotoGP can be. Despite moments of pace – a strong performance in qualifying in Austin, where he lined up eighth – results have so far deserted him. With Honda, his formula collaboration has not produced success thus far, and the matchup of an under competitive RC213V and constant crashes has shaken his confidence. There is an increasing concern in the paddock as to Mir’s morale here. A steady points scorer and race winner for Suzuki, his record with Honda has taken a dramatic turn. Now many people ask if the move has taken his prime years away.
The situation in the Honda garage is no better. The team has not been able to build a bike able to keep up with the speed of Ducati, KTM or Aprilia, and both of its riders have paid the price. A lack of rear traction and technical issues have long been criticism and it’s becoming ever more apparent that significant change is required to turn things around. It’s not about getting well for Mir, it’s a question of whether he will be able to get back into a rhythm in a season that is haemorrhaging away.
It is still unclear when he will return. Fractures to the hand are notoriously difficult for MotoGP riders whose hold on the bike depends on total hand functionality. An urgent return may be counterproductive, if at all, with the physical demands of racing at such a level. Honda has announced that updates on his condition will be communicated during the coming days, but Mir is likely to miss at least the Silverstone round.
There’s no sugarcoating it: Joan Mir’s 2025 campaign is in crisis. Case in point is his only finish, outside the top five, and five early exits; the pressure is mounting. A question mark is put on whether the former world champ will pull every string he can come up with to reverse this thing, or whether this will be the most forgettable year of his career. Nonetheless, doubt his determination, and you’d be lying. Where mental power is no less important than mechanical pedigree, Mir’s will could still be the thing that is not enough to derail his season entirely.
With the paddock proceeding on to Silverstone, the focus will continue to be on Honda’s potential to back their rider up through recovery and restoration – not just of bones but of morale and machinery. Joan Mir looks on from the sidelines as one of those fallen champions that needs a break in more ways than one.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeroto30s/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zeroto30s
Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeroto30s
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Zeroto30