Jake Dixon will make his return to MotoGP at the Qatar Grand Prix, replacing Joan Mir in the Honda HRC Castrol factory team as the Spaniard continues his recovery from illness.
Honda officially confirmed the British rider's appointment on November 5, following Mir's premature retirement from the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend. The 2020 MotoGP world champion had returned to action at Sepang after missing four consecutive rounds, but was forced to withdraw when his dizziness and vision problems resurfaced.
Mir's condition has continued to affect his ability to compete, particularly during races when physical demands and elevated heart rates become more challenging. He will remain at home to focus on his recovery, with no confirmed date for his return.
Dixon will join Luca Marini aboard the Honda RC213V at Lusail International Circuit, marking his first MotoGP appearance since 2021 and his debut with the factory Honda squad.
Source: Motorcyle News
The 30-year-old previously made two premier-class appearances with Petronas Yamaha SRT in 2021, replacing the injured Franco Morbidelli. He finished 19th at Silverstone before retiring from the following race in Aragon.
Dixon spent seven seasons competing in Moto2 between 2019 and 2025, recording seven victories and 22 podium finishes. He moved to Honda's World Superbike project in 2026, although his debut season was disrupted by injuries. He managed five top-10 finishes during the latter part of the campaign after returning to fitness.
Speaking about the opportunity, Dixon expressed his gratitude to Honda and described racing for the factory MotoGP team as a childhood dream.
The British rider acknowledged that it would take time to readjust to MotoGP machinery, saying he intended to approach the weekend steadily and build his performance step by step. He also wished Mir a speedy recovery, noting that he could relate to the difficulties of dealing with injuries throughout the season.
Dixon's arrival gives Honda a replacement for Mir as the championship heads into its final three rounds, with the Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for November 6 to 8.
