Mir, the 2020 world champion, joins Honda on a two-year deal from this season after being left with no journey when Suzuki elected to stop MotoGP on the finish of 2022.
Having made his Honda debut in November within the post-race Valencia take a look at, Mir spent three full days on the RC213V at Sepang this weekend, ending up 12th total and simply over a tenth of a second shy of eight-time world champion Marquez.
Mir says he’s “having fun with” the method of adapting to the Honda, however echoed feedback made by Marquez that the RC213V is “still far” from being as competitive as reigning world champions Ducati – who topped all three days of the Sepang test.
In consequence, he says he’s centered on closing that hole somewhat than on any private delight in his inter-team battle with Marquez.
“I’m completely satisfied about these three days,” Mir started. “I used to be capable of be taught rather a lot and journey extra within the fashion that the Honda requested to me.
“I’m having fun with driving in that manner, so on a regular basis I’m driving higher and I’m having fun with the method.
“If you benefit from the course of, every little thing is less complicated, and the lap occasions got here quicker and to journey solely this bike for 3 or 4 days and to have the ability to be this aggressive, I believe it’s okay.
“However, we’re nonetheless removed from the Ducatis particularly and the Aprilia. We want a step.
“After all, you all the time take a look at your team-mate to see the place the bike is. But when each of us enhance to the Ducatis, I might be tremendous completely satisfied. So, I’m considering extra concerning the Ducatis.”
Joan Mir, Repsol Honda Crew
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Honda labored by way of an exhaustive testing programme at Malaysia, with Marquez beginning with 4 bikes initially.
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Evaluating how Honda works in comparison with how Suzuki used to, Mir famous: “I’m completely satisfied about the way in which of working that they’ve.
“There are much more individuals listening to you than in Suzuki. That is good, and likewise there’s much more individuals working behind you.”
