Honda MotoGP debacle continues: Phillip Island GP without factory riders?

Since the San Marino Grand Prix, factory rider Joan Mir has no longer been available to his team as a regular rider. The Mallorcan has been suffering from an illness ever since – the diagnosis has not yet been disclosed – which has prevented the 2020 champion from racing. Mir was initially replaced by Taka Nakagami, then by Somkiat Chantra and, most recently, by Aleix Espargaró, who appears to have regained his form.

Whilst Mir works on his comeback – the Spaniard has signed with Gresini for 2027 – the pool of replacements has shrunk. Nakagami broke his collarbone at Motegi, whilst Espargaro crashed at Mandalika and subsequently complained of pain again. Consequently, Honda decided to leave the bike without a rider in Australia – partly because Mir might be able to return just one week later at Sepang.

Honda-MotoGP-Manager Alberto Puig

Foto: Gold and Goose

This predicament then turned into a debacle. The remaining rider on the one-man team, Luca Marini, arrived in Melbourne already looking weakened. Although the Italian briefly took to the track on Friday morning, he immediately threw in the towel, as team principal Alberto Puig confirmed: “Unfortunately, Luca Marini isn’t well either. He arrived at Phillip Island feeling very unwell. We agreed that he would give it a go in FP1. But after two laps, he came back completely drained of energy, particularly in his arms.”

Puig went on to report: “Dr Charte then visited Luca in the pits and confirmed that he has a viral infection. We consequently decided to sit out qualifying. We cannot say at this stage whether Luca will return to action at Phillip Island.”

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Werksfahrer Joan Mir plant sein Comeback für den Malaysia-GP

Foto: Gold and Goose

At the same time, the team manager confirmed Joan Mir’s ambitions: “I can’t promise anything or give any guarantees, but if everything goes according to plan, Joan should be back in action at Sepang. He has been working intensively with the medical team recently and was given the all-clear today.”

Puig is in a difficult position. Following Zarco, Mir, Nakagami and Aleix Espargaró, Luca Marini could now also miss a MotoGP event due to illness. The only ray of hope today is rookie Diogo Moreira. The young Brazilian, who is set to join the Honda works team next year, secured direct entry into the second qualifying session on Friday by finishing ninth in free practice. Johann Zarco missed out on Q2 by 0.026 seconds, finishing eleventh. As mentioned, no other Honda riders were on track.