Joan Mir finished 15th in the Thai Grand Prix, where he nevertheless fought for the top-10. The Honda driver encountered difficulties in the final part of the race, and also lost time after contact with Marc Marquez. He believes that #93 should have received a Long Lap instead of having to return a single position.
Competitive before a sudden drop in performance: “I’m obviously disappointed. I was competitive in the sprint yesterday as well as today, but in the last 10 laps I couldn't stay in the race. At one point I lost 2 seconds per lap and we still don't know why, the technicians are analyzing it. »
“I gave everything I had. I started 19th, and after three laps I was fighting for the top-10. What happened is incomprehensible. I could no longer brake the bike, I was going wide and I no longer had any grip in the corners. At one point I almost lost the rear and my RC213V went out of control. Maybe it was the tires or the electronics. »
Positive state of mind despite the disappointment of the result: “The first 15 laps were good, I had fun, I was able to come back and be faster than the drivers in front of me. It was good to fight with riders who have a better bike, and I was even able to lead the “Japan Cup”. I think that in both wet and dry conditions, we could have finished in the top-10. Zarco finished 8th, and without this problem I would have finished ahead of him. »
“It's disappointing because we're getting closer, and in these conditions you can make the difference with your driving style. Certainly not against the Ducati, but you can at least beat the Aprilia and KTM, have a good race. So I'm not happy and now I want to go to Malaysia for another opportunity. It's a shame because I think I deserved more than a point this weekend. »
Marquez's overtaking which sends him off the track: “It was beyond limits. It reminded me of what happened during the Jerez sprint. I don't want to comment because it ends up against me every time, but it's unprofessional that those who are paid to judge don't know how to give a penalty. I lost three positions. These are situations that happen sometimes and they should have penalized him with a Long Lap, so that the culprit loses the same places as those lost by myself. »
Editor's note: Mir is incorrect when he says he lost 3 positions. He only lost one.
