The 2020 world champion has usually been upbeat about Honda’s present path since final November, because the Japanese marque strives to snap a barren spell.
Mir was 13th on the finish of the opening day of the Qatar take a look at on Monday, slightly below eight tenths off one of the best tempo, and famous that areas through which the bike struggled in 2023 had been instantly higher from his first runs.
As such, he feels just like the 2024 RC213V is edging nearer in the direction of being extra aggressive with each run in testing this winter.
“In the meanwhile I’ve this sense that we’re getting nearer,” he mentioned when requested by Motorsport.com if he may really feel Honda was making strides with each take a look at.
“We aren’t the place we would like, however I can see some potential, and in some areas the place final yr we had been struggling so much, right this moment [on] the primary day the bike was higher.
“So, to be on the primary day with out pushing [to] that final restrict and I [still] improved by far my lap time on the qualifying [pace], it means I’m able to really feel higher with the bike and extra snug.
“I’m nonetheless not braking the place I feel that I can. However we’ve to regulate this tomorrow.
“I’m capable of get pleasure from it extra now. I feel if I get pleasure from, usually I’m quick.”
Joan Mir, Repsol Honda Staff
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Photos
One key weak point which has plagued Honda for a number of years now could be a scarcity of traction, which Mir admits has not likely improved but after the primary day of the Qatar take a look at.
“Actually, the grip, the traction we didn’t enhance in the mean time,” he added. “Since Sepang, it’s [been] the identical. We’re simply making an attempt to take care of what we’ve.
“I feel that there’s potential, however for certain it’s our weak level – that grip and acceleration.
“And in addition when you will have this drawback within the race on the final laps you battle. You may handle, however all the time you’ll drop greater than the others.”
The Qatar take a look at concludes on Tuesday forward of subsequent month’s season opener, although Honda will have the ability to proceed testing throughout the season with its race riders on account of the brand new concession system.
