MotoGP world champion could be shock casualty in 2025 rider market as potential break clause emerges

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The 2025 MotoGP grid features five world champions. The most successful in their number is Marc Marquez, who could make it six premier-class titles this year.

Marquez trails younger brother Alex by one point heading into the French Grand Prix this weekend. But he’s unbeaten when he stays upright this year, and that pace advantage should make the difference over a full season.

On the other factory Ducati, Francesco Bagnaia is unhappy. Third and 20 points off the pace, his position is certainly recoverable.

But Bagnaia lacks the same confidence as his teammate on the Ducati motorcycle. In Jerez last time out, he was somewhat ignominiously beaten by Fabio Quartararo.

2021 title winner Quartararo reminded the MotoGP world of his clash with a remarkable pole and a first podium for more than 18 months. Honda’s Joan Mir is still looking to end a near-four-year drought.

And finally, Aprilia’s Jorge Martin, who currently holds the #1 plate, has barely featured. Martin returned from injury at the Qatar GP only to end up in hospital with even more severe injuries.

Joan Mir’s Honda seat may not be guaranteed for 2026

On the face of it, Mir has a contract at Honda for 2026. However, journalist Neil Morrison hinted that the deal could include a break clause.

Mir won the MotoGP title in the shortened 2020 season despite taking just one race victory. When Suzuki had to withdraw at the end of 2022, he relocated to Honda.

He finished outside the top 20 in the championship in his first two seasons as the fallen giants toiled. But now they’ve improved, and it’s satellite rider Johann Zarco who’s delivering.

Outscored 43-11 by the Frenchman, Mir hasn’t made it to the chequered flag in a Grand Prix since round two in Argentina. Some in the paddock have questioned his desire now that he’s achieved his ultimate goal.

“I also think Joan Mir is another one you have to look at,” Morrison said on the Paddock Pass podcast. “He’s got a two-year deal, but someone in Jerez said that it was maybe not quite as solid as you may think.

“You look at his crash record this year, and it’s pretty sub-optimal. Mir is someone that might need to be just a little bit careful that he’s not edged out, because he’s taking a big chunk of a salary, and I’m sure Honda think that could be more wisely invested into something else.

“Mir’s speed is there, but some have people have asked, ‘Is the hunger there?’. He’s won his world championship in MotoGP.”

“There were rumours at one point, when Suzuki folded and there didn’t appear to be a spot for Joan Mir, there was talk of him taking a year off.”

Neil Hodgson was wrong about Joan Mir after big 2025 MotoGP prediction

Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi believes Andrea Dovizioso deserved to win the title in 2020. However, his attitude ‘regarding the tyre’ apparently cost him.

Critics will try and devalue Mir’s crown on the basis that there were only 14 races. But it was a testament to his consistency as he scored a podium in 50% of the events.

A former world champion in Moto3, he’s clearly an elite talent. But many at the highest level of motorsport possess short memories.

TNT Sports pundit Neil Hodgson picked Mir to be the surprise of the season in 2025. Unfortunately, the events of 2025 so far have been, in his case, entirely predictable.