Listening to Joan Mir, he almost seems to think he wasted his time during the Barcelona test. The Spaniard says he hasn't tested anything new, and is demanding big changes to the Honda RC213V. A version which is not that of Johann Zarco, who highlighted the efforts of the HRC (read here).
Frustrated with what he was given to test: “This test is still very important, you get a lot of things to test. The reality is that everything I tried today I had tried in the past. I expected more. We have a test next week and it looks like yes, things are going to start happening. But we will not deny that here I expected something more to improve the project. (…) I've done 70 laps here with things I've tried at least twice. I really expected more from this test and I think everyone on the team did too. »
Lost time in 2024: “On the first engine configuration that was tested at Sepang, and with which we did the first races, we realized that it didn't work and we had to go back to last year. Then came an improvement to this engine, which is the one we currently have. If we'd known, we'd probably have another one by now. »
HRC’s demand for change and efforts: “It is very necessary to bring a new motorcycle. It is absolutely necessary to start improving and start seeing the light. What is true is that work was carried out throughout the year. Normally there were two or three important tests: Jerez, Misano and Valencia. That's where these things happened. Little things happened during some races and other tests, as the work continued throughout the year. And the timing may have been a little delayed because of all that. But hey, it's clear that we all expected more. »
The arrival of Aleix Espargaro can move things forward: “Aleix has absolutely nothing to prove, he is a rider who was fighting for the podium with an Aprilia. He will bring a lot, I am convinced. He's a veteran rider, he's ridden quite a few motorcycles. It arrives fresh, that's very good. With being new comes new ideas, with a clearer mind, with the experience of riding a bike that really worked. »
Staying motivated ahead of a test at Jerez next week: “You have to believe it because I have to stay here for two more years and I have to believe in it. It doesn't look like they will bring a rocket to Jerez. What they will do is bring in things that will help the current package. I don't think they will bring a new motorcycle as such. So maybe an engine configuration will be made. I don't know yet, but I imagine it. »