News Summary
- Joan Mir will miss the Australian Grand Prix on October 23–25, with Honda confirming that his recovery is not sufficiently advanced.
- Honda HRC Castrol will not field a replacement, leaving Luca Marini as the factory team’s only rider at Phillip Island.
- Aleix Espargaró will undergo surgery in Barcelona after suffering chronic exertional compartment syndrome during a private test at Sepang.
Joan Mir will miss the 2026 Australian MotoGP Grand Prix at Phillip Island, with Honda confirming that it will not field a replacement for the injured or unwell Spaniard, leaving Luca Marini as the factory team’s only representative during the circuit’s farewell weekend.
Honda announced the decision on Wednesday, October 21, explaining that Mir and his medical team have concluded that the Australian Grand Prix comes too early in his recovery. The 2020 world champion has been absent from recent rounds because of persistent health problems that have affected his energy levels and physical performance.
The announcement also confirmed another setback for Honda’s development programme. Aleix Espargaró will undergo surgery in Barcelona after developing chronic exertional compartment syndrome during a private test at Sepang, preventing him from travelling to Australia.
Mir ruled out as Honda continues investigating health problems
Mir has been struggling with a series of unexplained symptoms for several months, forcing him to interrupt his 2026 MotoGP campaign.
The situation worsened during the San Marino Grand Prix weekend, when the Spaniard was unable to complete the race because of his physical condition.
Subsequent examinations at the Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona, conducted under the supervision of MotoGP medical director Dr Angel Charte, failed to establish a definitive diagnosis.
Doctors consequently recommended strict rest and rehabilitation, forcing Mir to miss the Austrian, Japanese and Indonesian Grands Prix.
Mir had already been ruled out of the Japanese and Indonesian rounds while doctors continued investigating his symptoms, with Phillip Island initially considered a possible return date.
However, Honda’s latest medical update confirms that he is not yet ready to resume racing.
“Joan Mir and his medical team are hard at work to return the #36 to the circuit but have deemed the Australian GP in Phillip Island too early and will continue to assess his condition,” Honda stated.
The manufacturer has not announced a date for Mir’s return, leaving his participation in the remaining rounds uncertain.
Honda confirms no replacement for Mir at Phillip Island
Honda’s decision means the factory team will compete with just one motorcycle during the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
Luca Marini will be the sole Honda HRC Castrol rider at Phillip Island, with no substitute nominated for Mir.
The situation follows a series of difficulties involving the manufacturer’s available replacement riders.
Somkiat Chantra substituted for Mir at the Japanese Grand Prix, while Aleix Espargaró returned to MotoGP at Mandalika.
However, Espargaró’s Indonesian appearance ended prematurely because of physical limitations following his earlier injuries.
The Spaniard withdrew before Sunday’s Grand Prix after struggling with the demands of racing at Mandalika.
Honda has now opted against naming another rider for Phillip Island, concentrating its factory race programme on Marini.
The decision does not affect the separate LCR Honda operation, which continues to field its own motorcycles.
Aleix Espargaró faces surgery after Sepang test
Honda also confirmed that Aleix Espargaró will undergo surgery in Barcelona in the coming days after experiencing chronic exertional compartment syndrome during a private test at Sepang.
The condition involves increased pressure within a muscle compartment during physical exertion, potentially causing pain, weakness and reduced function.
For motorcycle racers, symptoms affecting the forearms can be particularly problematic because of the sustained physical demands of braking and controlling the motorcycle.
Espargaró had already experienced a difficult recovery after a serious testing accident earlier in 2026.
He returned to competitive action in Indonesia as Mir’s replacement but struggled with the physical demands of the weekend.
The Spaniard subsequently withdrew from the Grand Prix and continued his development responsibilities with Honda.
His latest setback occurred during testing of the manufacturer’s new-generation MotoGP machinery at Sepang.
The surgery creates another complication for Honda’s preparations for 2027, when the championship introduces 850cc engines, revised aerodynamic regulations and Pirelli tyres.
Espargaró is one of the manufacturer’s principal development riders, making his absence relevant beyond the immediate Australian Grand Prix.
Honda has not announced a timetable for his return to testing.
Marini carries Honda’s factory hopes at Phillip Island
With Mir absent, Marini will lead Honda HRC Castrol’s efforts at the Australian Grand Prix.
The Italian enters the weekend 12th in the Riders’ Championship, just 17 points behind the top ten.
His previous appearances at Phillip Island have included competitive performances, with two top-ten finishes in 2025 equalling his best premier-class result at the circuit.
Marini hopes to recover after a more difficult Indonesian Grand Prix weekend, using the final five races of 2026 to demonstrate the progress made by Honda.
“Back to work after a short break as we get ready for three races in a row,” Marini said in the team’s official preview.
“Phillip Island is a circuit that every rider loves, coming down the straight with just the sea in front of you is something very unique and of course the layout is like nothing else on the calendar.”
The Italian added that Honda had continued working on improvements during the break between races.
“The objective is to enjoy this weekend and capture as many points as possible,” he explained.
Marini will have additional responsibility because Honda will receive race-weekend feedback from only one factory motorcycle rather than two.
Phillip Island prepares final MotoGP weekend
The Australian Grand Prix takes place on October 23–25, marking MotoGP’s final scheduled visit to Phillip Island before the event moves to Adelaide in 2027.
The circuit has been associated with some of Honda’s greatest successes, including victories by Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan and Casey Stoner.
Honda has accumulated 15 premier-class victories at Phillip Island, making the venue an important part of the manufacturer’s racing history.
The farewell weekend will feature a ceremonial reunion of Australian world champions.
Casey Stoner, Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner will participate in a special farewell lap, celebrating the circuit’s contribution to Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
The weekend will also take place without Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, whose rookie season has ended because of a shoulder injury.
Pramac Yamaha confirmed that Razgatlıoğlu requires surgery and will miss the remaining five rounds, with Augusto Fernández taking his place.
Gresini will also be without Fermín Aldeguer, who is being replaced by Iker Lecuona.
The main Australian MotoGP race is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, at 14:00 local time, equivalent to 03:00 GMT in the United Kingdom and 08:30 IST in India.
