Mir returns with Q2 performance in Malaysia on Friday
Sepang International CircuitJoan Mir proved that he'd lost none of his speed and secured a place in Q2 for the Malaysian Grand Prix
Friday was a day of exceeding expectations for the returning Joan Mir, able to immediately pick up where he left off and secure a sport directly in Q2. A best lap of 1’57.618 put the #36 tenth at the end of the day and two tenths faster than his best Friday time of 2025 despite having missed the previous races. The result was a welcome boost to Mir, confirmation and unequivocal proof that his efforts to recover were not in vain as he finished the day as the top Honda rider. His ambitions for the weekend remain realistic; confirm his condition and set up for a strong end to the year.
On a circuit that he normally enjoys, Castrol Honda LCR's Johann Zarco felt comfortable on the bike in the morning session, consistently running inside the top positions on the timesheets. In the afternoon Practice session, the Frenchman maintained his positive feeling and showed strong pace, but a crash in the closing minutes prevented him from completing his final time attack. Fortunately Zarco was unhurt and ended the day in 11th place.
Team-mate Diogo Moreira also enjoyed a positive Friday at the Sepang circuit and found improvements throughout the day, which allowed him to push harder and gain confidence. After consistently running inside the top ten in the morning session, Moreira was aiming for a place in Q2 but a near-crash cost him valuable time on his time attack lap and he finished the session in 13th place.
Luca Marini balanced outright speed and saving energy for the key moments of the weekend as he tested himself after missing the Australian Grand Prix. Still missing some power and energy from his usual maximum, the Italian did what he needed to do with an eye on Saturday and Sunday. Setting a best time of 1’58.462 had Marini in 17th, 0.8s from his teammate but ready to push for more tomorrow and Sunday. A stone through the radiator of his Honda RC213V late in the session ended his final time attack early.
I am really happy with how the day has gone, it was a much better day than I was expecting to be completely honest. I know that when I feel good and the bike is working well that I can be fast and show my potential and after the period we have been through – confirming that again today was even more than I was aiming for. It’s probably the most important pass to Q2 that I can remember for me. The bike was feeling good and this gave me the confidence to push from the start. Unfortunately, the condition of the track has suffered and there are quite a lot of stones coming up – it’s something to watch for when you are following someone.
I am really happy with how the day has gone, it was a much better day than I was expecting to be completely honest. I know that when I feel good and the bike is working well that I can be fast and show my potential and after the period we have been through – confirming that again today was even more than I was aiming for. It’s probably the most important pass to Q2 that I can remember for me. The bike was feeling good and this gave me the confidence to push from the start. Unfortunately, the condition of the track has suffered and there are quite a lot of stones coming up – it’s something to watch for when you are following someone.
Tomorrow’s race will be tough because the track conditions aren’t ideal. We’re used to it, but we could already feel it today. Overall, it was a good day. I felt comfortable on the bike straight away and we were competitive from the start. It’s a shame about the crash because I think we had the potential to be in the top 10. We’ll keep working hard tomorrow to get the best possible grid position.
Tomorrow’s race will be tough because the track conditions aren’t ideal. We’re used to it, but we could already feel it today. Overall, it was a good day. I felt comfortable on the bike straight away and we were competitive from the start. It’s a shame about the crash because I think we had the potential to be in the top 10. We’ll keep working hard tomorrow to get the best possible grid position.
I think I could have made it into Q2. I was pushing hard, but I had a tricky moment in the last corner. I managed to save the crash, but I lost some time. Overall, I felt really good on the bike today. It’s easier to ride, I can play with it more, and I feel comfortable. We already have a lot of useful information from the tests. Let’s see what we can do tomorrow!
I think I could have made it into Q2. I was pushing hard, but I had a tricky moment in the last corner. I managed to save the crash, but I lost some time. Overall, I felt really good on the bike today. It’s easier to ride, I can play with it more, and I feel comfortable. We already have a lot of useful information from the tests. Let’s see what we can do tomorrow!
My condition is still not perfect, and I was expecting to feel a bit better, the two-time attacks were tough physically and this is costing us a final few tenths. I think that tomorrow we will be able to deliver a stronger result after saving a bit of energy today. It’s true that the circuit is in a more complicated situation than we have experienced in the past. A stone hit the radiator right at the end so I lost the final part of the time attack, it can happen and did not change our fortunes.
My condition is still not perfect, and I was expecting to feel a bit better, the two-time attacks were tough physically and this is costing us a final few tenths. I think that tomorrow we will be able to deliver a stronger result after saving a bit of energy today. It’s true that the circuit is in a more complicated situation than we have experienced in the past. A stone hit the radiator right at the end so I lost the final part of the time attack, it can happen and did not change our fortunes.
