News Summary
- Joan Mir will miss the Japanese and Indonesian Grands Prix because of an unresolved health problem.
- Further examinations in Barcelona have not identified the cause of his persistent fatigue and loss of strength.
- Honda has not yet announced who will replace Mir at Motegi and Mandalika.
Joan Mir will miss the next two MotoGP rounds in Japan and Indonesia as doctors continue investigating the health problem that has kept him away from competition since Misano.
The Honda rider underwent further examinations at Barcelona’s Dexeus University Hospital under the supervision of MotoGP medical director Dr Ángel Charte. However, the tests have not produced a conclusive diagnosis.
Mir has experienced physical symptoms for several months, including severe fatigue and a lack of strength. His condition deteriorated during the San Marino GP, where he withdrew after five laps because he had insufficient energy to continue safely.
Initial blood tests identified abnormal parameters requiring further investigation. Mir subsequently missed the Austrian GP, but Honda initially hoped he would recover in time for the manufacturer’s home race at Motegi.
That return has now been abandoned. Doctors have prescribed complete rest and rehabilitation for the next two weeks, ruling Mir out of the Japanese GP on October 2–4 and the Indonesian GP on October 9–11.
Mir will continue undergoing medical evaluation while following the recovery programme established in Barcelona.
Honda still needs to name Mir’s replacement
Honda has not confirmed who will ride alongside Luca Marini during the two Asian rounds.
Takaaki Nakagami replaced Mir in Austria, finishing 13th before participating in Monday’s Pirelli tyre test. The Japanese test rider was already scheduled to contest his home Grand Prix as a wildcard, making him an obvious candidate to occupy the factory RC213V at Motegi.
However, using Nakagami as Mir’s substitute would force Honda to reconsider its existing wildcard entry. The manufacturer could deploy another development rider or alter its planned line-up for the weekend.
Honda may also require a different solution for Indonesia. No replacement has yet been confirmed for either event.
The latest update changes the original recovery timetable outlined when Mir was ruled out of the Austrian GP. At that stage, Motegi remained the target for his return.
Mir’s absence extends beyond three rounds
The 2020 MotoGP world champion has now been ruled out of Austria, Japan and Indonesia, in addition to withdrawing during the San Marino GP.
Mir said at Misano that he had “no energy or power on the bike” and believed continuing the race would only worsen his condition. Honda has not disclosed specific medical details beyond the altered blood-test parameters and the inconclusive follow-up examinations.
His return will depend on the outcome of further tests and his response to the prescribed rest period. The Australian GP at Phillip Island on October 23–25 is therefore the earliest possible return, but Honda has not established a new target date.
MotoGP resumes at Motegi from October 2–4 before travelling directly to Mandalika for the Indonesian GP one week later.
MotoGP today: FAQ
Who won the 2026 Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix?
Pedro Acosta won the Austrian GP, beating Jorge Martín by 1.017s after taking the lead on lap nine.
Was Austria Pedro Acosta’s first MotoGP victory?
Yes. The 2026 Austrian GP was Acosta’s first full-distance MotoGP victory after 15 previous premier-class podiums.
Who leads the 2026 MotoGP championship after Austria?
Jorge Martín leads with 306 points. Marc Márquez is second on 294, leaving Martín 12 points ahead with seven rounds remaining.
Why is Joan Mir missing the Japanese and Indonesian Grands Prix?
Mir continues to experience fatigue and loss of strength. Medical examinations found abnormal blood parameters, but doctors have not yet reached a conclusive diagnosis.
