Joan Mir has taken another important step forward with Honda, claiming his second podium finish for the Japanese manufacturer in just four races. The result matches his best finish from Motegi and marks a turning point in what has been a long and difficult journey with the team.

Although Mir’s podium came after Francesco Bagnaia suffered a late puncture, Mir’s strong pace throughout the weekend proved that he really earned his place on the podium.

Speaking after the race, Mir described just how tough the fight had been: “It was one of the hardest races of my life,” he told MotoGP.com. “The tyres were so difficult to manage — the bike was sliding everywhere, especially at the front — but we handled it perfectly. We did 150% of our target, and that’s only possible when you have confidence and a good feeling with the bike.”

Since joining Honda in 2023, the 2020 world Champion has faced a tough run, often finishing at the back of the grid or crashing out entirely. His struggles mirrored Honda’s bigger battle to return to competitiveness after several challenging seasons.

Mir revealed that he had already sensed podium potential during the Sprint race, even though a crash on Saturday ruined that opportunity. Determined to make amends, he rode smartly in the main race and delivered when it mattered.

Despite the tough times, Mir has always believed in Honda’s long-term vision. “I never had doubts that Honda would come back,” he said. “That’s why, even in the worst moment, I renewed for two more years. I trust this project, and I trust these people. When there’s trust both ways, good things happen. It’s just a matter of time and hard work — I’m very happy, and this podium is also for them.”

Mir admitted that finding the right balance between speed and safety is still tricky with the current bike: “After yesterday’s crash while fighting for the podium, I knew it was possible. But with our bike, the line between being fast and crashing is very small. We have to take more risks in the corners than others, but today I just wanted to finish — and doing that with a podium feels amazing.”

The result is not only a reward for Mir’s persistence but also a positive sign for Honda’s ongoing development. After years of frustration, both rider and team finally appear to be heading in the right direction.