Joan Mir’s best MotoGP finish since 2023: “I’ve never been satisfied for the seventh time ever!”

Former MotoGP champion Joan Mir finished 30 times in the top six as Suzuki rider from 2019-2022.

So he didn’t think he was happy with the 7th place, as he did in Aragon on Sunday.

However, after the eighth DNF of the season, taken away by Jack Miller in Saturday’s sprint, Mir admitted that claiming his best Honda Motogup result from fifth place in 2023 was a big relief.

“In the end, I was able to finish the race with more or less good results. I was never satisfied with my seventh position in my career, but I am happy now!” he said.

“We are in a very difficult situation and we can ultimately fight these people, and we have to be happy about it.

“We don’t have the tools to do anything more, so I sleep very calmly with myself, I know I gave them 100%.

“We have to keep pushing hard, we are doing a good job and we are in the process of coming back, but that isn’t enough.

“Even so, you miss acceleration, top speed, grip, and that is something that needs to be improved.

“On the other hand, with brakes, corner speed, handling, we’re in a very good moment. I can fight and it’s very positive.

“But to do something more, we need to improve top speed, bike power and grip.

“If not, it’s difficult to create a race in a better position than the seventh unless nothing happens like today.”

The weakness of the straight line was shown by the Aragon’s top speed chart being ranked ahead of Hondalukee’s Somkiat Chantra and Pridelia’s Lorenzo Sabadri alone.

“You’re very nervous when you pass, he admitted.

“The relief is massive after a lap without being overtaken.

“In reality, only our pace is usually very good. That’s acceptable. Close to the top five.

“But racing is a different story.

“There are a lot of bikes around, you have to fight against them and you can’t always find a clear track.

“For example, Yamaha in the past knew that if they started (front) they would have a pace if they were alone.

“We don’t start from pole position and are not the fastest on track, so it’s going to make things a little more complicated.”

Chanta was another Honda finisher on the 16th as Mir’s teammate Luca Marini was absent due to injuries and LCR Johann Zarco crashed.