Joan Mir achieved his best Sprint result, finishing eighth in Argentina, while Luca Marini placed 13th. Mir’s progress from Q1 to Q2 and competitive performance against top riders highlight Honda’s improvements. Zarco also excelled with a fourth-place finish as attention turns to Sunday’s Grand Prix amid potential rain.
The Honda HRC Castrol team celebrated Joan Mir’s performance in the Argentina Sprint, as he advanced from his tenth-place starting position to finish eighth. Mir’s journey included progressing from Q1 to Q2 successfully, marking his second consecutive Q2 appearance in 2025 and improving his qualifying position compared to the Thai GP. During the Sprint, Mir showcased his competitive spirit against notable riders such as Quartararo and Morbidelli, achieving his best result since the Sprint Races format’s introduction in 2023.
Luca Marini, starting from sixth after Q1, faced challenges during the Sprint. Despite making initial progress, he finished in 13th place, falling short of his performance goals for the event. Both riders now look forward to Sunday’s Warm-Up session as a final opportunity to refine their setups before the Grand Prix.
Adding to Honda’s positive momentum, Johann Zarco also excelled by securing a front-row grid position and ultimately finishing fourth in the Sprint, reflecting the technical enhancements of the Honda RC213V this season.
As the focus shifts to the main event, Sunday’s Gran Premio de Argentina is set to start at 15:00 Local Time. Both Mir and Marini have demonstrated competitive pace in longer runs, which is promising ahead of the race. Weather conditions, with rain in the forecast, could influence the race strategy as well.
Following the Sprint race, Mir expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, “Solid race. I think this was the best result we could have achieved today.” He emphasized the desire for further improvements while acknowledging the progress made throughout the weekend. Marini reflected on his performance, noting that he aimed for better results and planned to analyze setup issues or lack of grip before the Grand Prix.
Joan Mir and Luca Marini showed marked progress in the Argentina Sprint, with Mir notably achieving his best result in the Sprint Races format. Despite mixed outcomes, both riders, alongside Zarco’s impressive performance, indicate potential for further success in the upcoming Grand Prix. The forecasted rain may add unpredictability to the race, but both have enough pace to contend effectively if conditions allow. Overall, the Honda HRC Castrol team’s improvement this weekend reflects their continuous development and competitiveness in the MotoGP season.
Original Source: motogp.hondaracingcorporation.com
