The 2020 MotoGP World Champion is expected to return with Honda HRC Castrol at Sepang after an illness forced him to miss the Austrian, Japanese, Indonesian and Australian Grands Prix.
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Joan Mir is set to return to MotoGP action at the Malaysian Grand Prix after missing four consecutive rounds due to an illness that affected his energy levels and physical condition.
The Honda HRC Castrol rider has been sidelined since the Austrian Grand Prix, having previously retired from the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano in September. His health problems became apparent during the San Marino weekend, when the Spaniard revealed that he was operating at around half of his normal energy levels.
The situation forced Mir to step away from racing to focus on his recovery, leaving Honda to arrange replacements for several rounds of the 2026 MotoGP season.
Honda Faces Rider Setbacks
Honda initially replaced Mir with test rider Takaaki Nakagami for the Austrian Grand Prix before Somkiat Chantra took over for the Japanese round. Aleix Espargaro was then called up for the Indonesian Grand Prix, although he was unable to participate in the weekend as planned.
Honda faced further difficulties at the Australian Grand Prix when Luca Marini also withdrew due to a viral illness, adding to the team’s rider availability problems.
Mir’s return would provide a boost for Honda as the team continues its campaign towards the end of the season. However, his physical condition remains an important factor after several weeks away from competition.
Can Mir Repeat His Sepang Podium?
The Malaysian Grand Prix could offer Mir an opportunity to rediscover the form he showed at Sepang last year. The 2020 world champion secured a podium finish at the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix, which remains his most recent podium result in MotoGP.
That performance provides a positive reference point as he prepares to return, although matching it will depend on his fitness and how quickly he can regain his competitive rhythm after missing four rounds.
Mir recently shared a photo of himself with his flat-track motorcycle on social media, accompanied by a message suggesting that he was preparing to return in Malaysia.
His expected comeback will be welcome news for Honda and his supporters, but his participation at Sepang will ultimately depend on his physical condition and the necessary medical clearance ahead of the race weekend.
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