Joan Mir believes leaving Honda for Gresini Racing is the right move to revive his MotoGP career after enduring four challenging seasons with the Japanese manufacturer.
The 2020 MotoGP world champion will join the Ducati satellite team in 2027, bringing an end to a difficult spell at Honda that yielded few opportunities to fight for podiums or victories. Mir said the decision was driven by his desire to compete at the front once again after years of frustration.
Although walking away from a factory seat was not an easy decision, Mir said he was more motivated by performance than status. He believes Gresini offers the ideal environment to rediscover his best form, particularly with Ducati continuing to set the benchmark in MotoGP.
Source: Paddock GP
Mir admitted his time at Honda tested both his patience and confidence as he struggled with an uncompetitive bike and inconsistent results. Despite the setbacks, he insisted the experience helped him grow as a rider and made him appreciate the importance of being on machinery capable of challenging at the front.
The Spaniard also revealed he remains as motivated as ever to add to the world title he won with Suzuki in 2020. He described himself as "hungry" to compete for victories again and sees the move to Gresini as the best opportunity to reignite his career.
Mir's switch comes amid a busy rider market ahead of MotoGP's new technical regulations in 2027, with several riders opting for fresh starts as manufacturers prepare for the next era of the championship. For Mir, the decision represents more than just a team change. It is an opportunity to prove he still belongs among MotoGP's leading contenders.
