Marco Bezzecchi
Joan Mir is now believed to have two remaining options to stay on the MotoGP grid in 2027, as Honda cannot offer him a ride with Tech3 set to remain a satellite KTM outfit.
Honda have sought desperately to bolster their satellite stable for next year, as the Japanese team dreamt of fielding six works-spec bikes at the start of MotoGP’s 850cc regulations era. But Ducati have tempted Gresini to stay put, and Tech3 are now expected to stay with KTM.
Gresini had serious talks with Honda earlier this year about potentially reviving their historic ties, before Ducati convinced them to stay in their ranks. Gresini’s decision saw Honda begin speaking with Tech3 about joining LCR in their ranks, but HRC appear to have hit a dead end.
Would Honda securing a second satellite team in 2027 be good for MotoGP?
Honda rider Joan Mir is considering joining Gresini or Trackhouse for 2027
According to Motorpasion Moto, KTM have done enough to convince Tech3 to reject Honda, which will also have a ‘huge’ impact on the rider market. Honda needed to snap up a second satellite team as HRC cannot otherwise offer Mir and/or Luca Marini new contracts for 2027.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Joan Mir from net worth to career stats
Honda are set to sign Fabio Quartararo once the 2021 MotoGP champion’s Yamaha contract expires. It is also understood that Honda are signing Moto2 wonderkid David Alonso, and he is even expected to step straight up from the intermediate class into the factory HRC garage.
With Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira also locked in at LCR on factory Honda contracts, Mir is now ‘definitively’ out at HRC and is considering moves to Gresini or Trackhouse. Mir could ride a Ducati for Gresini as Tech3 remaining with KTM may also see Enea Bastianini stay put.
Tech3 are thought to be ‘on the verge’ of signing a new satellite supply deal with KTM, after the Austrian crew proposed a more beneficial offer to seal their continuation. It is even said that MotoGP bosses put ‘pressure’ on Tech3 so KTM were not left without a satellite squad.
Part of KTM’s proposal to retain Tech3 includes investing more funds in the team than they initially hoped to next year. But keeping Tech3 from Honda’s clutches will also allow KTM to trigger their option in Bastianini’s contract and prevent him from moving to Gresini in 2027.
KTM retaining Bastianini for Tech3 can create a space at satellite Ducati crew Gresini for Mir, who may alternatively join Trackhouse after Ai Ogura agreed to join Yamaha for 2027. Alex Rins will also leave the factory Yamaha squad when his contract expires at the end of 2026.
Joan Mir feels it is ‘becoming more likely’ he will be in MotoGP in 2027
List every factory MotoGP team that Joan Mir would ‘deserve’ to ride for
Mir recently admitted that he is still unsure about which team he will ride for in 2027, as the 2020 MotoGP champion is still weighing up his options. But the Spaniard is clear that he will only race for a team that he truly wants to be at, and one where his “heart” feels in place.
“We’re trying to figure out what’s best for my future,” Mir told Motorsport.com at Le Mans. “I can’t guarantee I’ll stay here [at Honda], that’s true enough.
“But I’ll know what I’ll do soon, that’s for sure. I’m in a position where I’ll do what my heart tells me. I’ll be true to my feelings, true to what I want, and that’s all I can say. But we’ll know soon.”
Mir added regarding whether he has set a deadline: “As soon as possible. It’s important that the decision I make is the one I want.
“I think when you’re a little younger, you can accept situations you probably don’t want, but you tell yourself they’ll work out with time. I’m not in that situation now. I’m happy because the decision I make will be something I really want and that will make me happy.”
One week later, and Mir now feels like it is “becoming more likely” than ever that he will be on the 2027 MotoGP grid. The Palma native has also suggested ahead of the Catalan Grand Prix this weekend in Barcelona that he will now be able to reveal his plans for 2027 “soon”.
“You’ll soon know what’s happening with my future,” Mir said, via Motorsport.com. “Yes, there are developments about my future, but nothing is finalised yet. I think everything is progressing well. It’s becoming more likely that I’ll continue to compete in MotoGP.”
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