Joan Mir Tops Day Two of Sepang MotoGP Test with Blistering Single-Lap Pace

Honda RC213V shows clear progress as Joan Mir leads Honda HRC Castrol before rain cuts short afternoon running.

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Joan Mir topped the timesheets on the second day of the Sepang MotoGP Test after delivering an impressive single-lap performance on the Honda RC213V. The day ended early for many riders as rain cut short the afternoon session, limiting track time across the field.

The Honda HRC Castrol team returned to the 5.54-kilometre Sepang International Circuit with confidence following a positive first day. Wednesday’s running showed clear progress from the 2026 Honda RC213V, which continues to build on the development direction set during the 2025 season.

Joan Mir Delivers Fastest Lap of the Day

Mir led the charge in the morning session and set a best lap time of 1:56.874. The time was 0.6 seconds faster than his Q2 lap from the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix. It highlighted Honda’s improved one-lap pace and Mir’s growing confidence on the bike.

Despite the strong result, the focus remained on testing rather than outright speed. Rain arrived shortly after lunch, restricting Mir to just two laps in the afternoon. This limited further evaluation of performance items.

Productive Morning for Luca Marini

Luca Marini also enjoyed a solid day at Sepang. The Italian rider concentrated on Honda’s testing plan during the morning session. Like his teammate, his afternoon running was cut short due to worsening weather conditions.

Marini ended the day 0.676 seconds behind Mir. He remained satisfied with the progress made despite the reduced track time. The team will now review the data collected and finalise plans for the remaining Sepang test and the upcoming Buriram session.

Honda HRC Builds Momentum Ahead of Buriram Test

One final day of testing remains in Sepang before the MotoGP paddock moves to Buriram, Thailand. Honda HRC Castrol aim to make full use of the remaining time on track. While there is still work to complete, the first two days have helped maintain strong momentum heading into the 2026 season.

Rider Quotes

Joan Mir (36), Honda HRC Castrol:
“I am happy with the lap time today. This morning I felt strong and confident on the bike. We focused on lap time early before returning to testing work. Tomorrow we need to make another step and recover time lost to the rain.”

Luca Marini (10), Honda HRC Castrol:
“We had a busy morning and made the most of every lap. Even without the afternoon session, we achieved a lot. The workload has been shared well between the Honda riders. It has been a positive test so far.”