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“A year like that is not OK, two in a row even worse” - Joan Mir on crucial 2024 MotoGP bid

Repsol Honda Team

Joan Mir has admitted the 2024 MotoGP World Championship will be the ‘most important’ of his professional career as he attempts to prove himself on the Repsol Honda after a torrid 2023 campaign.

The 2020 MotoGP World Champion switched to the multiple title-winners in 2023 after Suzuki’s abrupt exit from MotoGP, but endured a dismal season characterised by numerous accidents, injuries and a general difficulty in getting the Honda RC213V set-up to his liking.

With last year’s development of the Honda leaning towards the now departed Marc Marquez, Mir feels the evolution of the RC213V will be more specific to him while making broad improvements in all areas.

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“The truth is this is a very important year for me, maybe the most important of my professional career so far,” he said at the launch of the 2024 MotoGP Honda RC213V

“If a rider has one year that’s not okay, then two in a row is even worse. So I want it to work. I will do my best. I think Honda is on the same page and I’m very optimistic.”

“It looks like it’s a year of change. The bike is completely different and the new livery is very aggressive. Honestly, I think we’ve improved a little bit of everything. We just miss a little bit of acceleration at the moment, then something on the aerodynamics.

“But the bike is already completely different in terms of aerodynamics. It looks more like a modern bike! Last year there was only one wing and this year there are a lot.”

One of the key changes Mir will benefit from in 2024 is that adoption of Marquez’s ex-crew chief Santi Hernandez, a development he feels will help him make important strides on the bike

“This is a good change, let's say, because with Santi it was very natural at the Sepang test,” Mir added. “We were able to create a good atmosphere inside the box which very important for a rider and we were able to work well together.

“Also with all the mechanics was something very great. I really enjoy working with them and I think we can make a good team this season.”

Mir was the fastest of the Honda contingent with the tenth fastest time, just under seven tenths off the ultimate lap record-breaking pace.

The Spaniard managed just a single top ten finish in 2023 - a fifth place finish in India - and ended the season as the lowest-placed rider of the full-time contenders.

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