Joan Mir will miss the upcoming Japanese and Indonesian Grands Prix after medical tests raised further concerns over his health, leaving Honda searching for a replacement for the two rounds.
The 2020 MotoGP world champion was forced to retire early from the San Marino GP after feeling unwell. Further examinations in Barcelona subsequently revealed altered parameters in his blood test results.
Doctors have not yet established a definitive diagnosis, but have advised Mir to take three weeks of rest while undergoing additional medical checks.
As a result, the Repsol Honda rider will not compete at Motegi or Mandalika, with his return date still uncertain. The Australian GP later in October has also not been identified as a potential comeback at this stage.
The situation creates an immediate problem for Honda, particularly with its home race in Japan approaching.
Takaaki Nakagami will be present at Motegi, but the Japanese rider is scheduled to compete as a wildcard for Honda's HRC Test Team and is running his own programme. He is therefore not currently lined up as Mir's direct replacement.
Honda will now have to determine who can step into Mir's factory RC213V for the two races.
Stefan Bradl is one potential option given his extensive experience with Honda and the RC213V, although his availability could depend on his recovery from a recent back injury.
Cal Crutchlow is another experienced candidate. The former MotoGP rider already returned to action earlier this season, replacing Johann Zarco at LCR Honda for six races.
Any replacement would face a difficult task, with the Japanese and Indonesian rounds coming in quick succession and both circuits presenting different demands.
For Mir, the latest setback adds to a difficult final chapter of his Honda career.
The Spaniard joined the factory team in 2023 after winning the 2020 world championship with Suzuki, but his time with Honda has been heavily affected by the manufacturer's struggles with the RC213V.
He has managed only two podium finishes during his Honda tenure and has endured a large number of crashes while trying to extract performance from the bike.
Mir is due to leave Honda at the end of the season and join Gresini Racing for 2027, where he will ride a Ducati.
That move will give the former world champion a new environment and a different motorcycle as he looks to start the next stage of his MotoGP career.
For now, however, Mir's priority is his recovery. Honda's immediate concern is finding a suitable replacement for the next two Grands Prix while waiting for greater clarity over when its rider can return.
