Joan Mir faced a day filled with challenges and unmet expectations at the MotoGP Portuguese GP. Despite a promising start in the morning’s free practice, where he managed to secure a spot within the top 10 amidst widespread grip issues, the afternoon session proved to be a stark contrast to his initial performance.
Mir expressed his disappointment, highlighting the struggle to find the bike’s balance and control. ‘This afternoon was very difficult. I expected much more’, he admitted. The primary issue seemed to be the bike’s inability to stop and then the subsequent spinning when accelerating. Mir found it hard to pinpoint where he could make a difference as a rider, given the persistent sliding regardless of how he approached braking or throttle application.
During his time attack, Mir trailed behind Francesco Bagnaia, managing to keep up until the final few corners where he lost significant time, ultimately finishing with a 1m39.1 compared to Bagnaia’s 1m38.6. This gap, particularly pronounced in the last two corners, added to his frustration. Mir also noted that the track’s unique topography, with its ups and downs, did not necessarily exacerbate the bike’s instability issues. Instead, he pinpointed acceleration as the main area of struggle, dismissing the notion that the circuit’s elevation changes were a contributing factor.
When asked about the implementation of new components aimed at improving the bike’s performance, Mir confirmed their use but tempered expectations. ‘Yes, I expected more’, he said, indicating that the anticipated improvements did not materialize during the initial runs. The focus of these new elements was to enhance stability upon corner entry and increase edge grip. However, Mir observed that these adjustments did not yield the positive impact he had hoped for under the current conditions.
Mir’s manufacturer mate, Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda), mentioned a difference in the nature of the bike’s spinning compared to the previous year, suggesting a change in the angle of spinning. Mir, however, emphasized a more fundamental issue: his inability to maintain control over the bike without following another rider closely, a problem that seemed to persist from last year.
Concluding his debrief, Mir acknowledged the significant gap to the front runners, a deficit of one second, which he described as ‘a drama’ in the competitive world of MotoGP. Despite the day’s setbacks, Mir remained committed to pursuing improvements and adjustments for the following day, hopeful for a better performance.