Line-up change in the Honda works team at the Red Bull Ring: Mir out, Nakagami in

In a rather surprising move, the official Honda MotoGP team has announced a line-up change for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Works rider Joan Mir, who had headed for the pits from a hopeless position at Misano before the race was even halfway through and thrown in the towel, does not feel able to compete in the Austrian Grand Prix in peak condition.

On the advice of his doctors, Mir will miss the Austrian Grand Prix as he works towards being fit again in time for the Japanese Grand Prix. The Mallorcan’s Honda – who will be riding a Ducati for Gresini Racing in 2027 – will instead be ridden by Honda HRC development rider Takaaki Nakagami.

Immediately after the San Marino Grand Prix, Joan Mir travelled to Barcelona to undergo medical examinations and assess his physical condition following his retirement from Sunday’s race. Detailed examinations have revealed abnormal blood values, which require further investigation and testing. Due to the symptoms he had already experienced in Italy and the lack of a clear diagnosis, Mir’s medical team has advised him to focus on his recovery and to sit out the Austrian Grand Prix.

Honda HRC development rider Takaaki Nakagami, who has just completed a test at Mugello, will ride the Honda HRC Castrol RC213V at the race weekend in Spielberg. As he was already scheduled to take part in the test on the Monday following the race, this opportunity will allow Nakagami and HRC to also carry out test runs on the 1000cc Honda RC213V, enabling him to prepare even better for his wildcard appearance at the Japanese Grand Prix in just over two weeks’ time.

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18.09.2026 - 08:55