What will Happen to Joan Mir After Suzuki’s Exit?

Suzuki’s exit from MotoGP came as a shock for everyone as the Japanese brand was one of the champions on the track. One of the main concerns with Suzuki’s announcement of exiting was the future of its riders. But now the picture is getting clearer.

Joan Mir, the star rider and world champion from Suzuki has been signed by the Honda Factory team. And it is official. Joan Mir will be teaming up with another world champion, Marc Marquez. Till now Joan Mir’s joining the Honda Factory team was just a speculation, but, on the eve of this weekend’s San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, Honda made it official. Joan Mir will be riding for the Honda Factory team from 2023, and it will be a two-year-long contract.

Alex Rins, a fellow Suzuki rider, signed a two-year deal straight with HRC to compete for LCR, therefore Rins and Mir will transfer to Honda for 2023. Joan Mir will be replacing Pol Espargaro, who will be joining the KTM Tech3 GasGas team in 2023. Meanwhile, Rins will be replacing Alex Marquez as he will be joining the Gresini team.

After breaking his right foot in an incident on lap one of the Austrian GP, Mir will not be on the track at this weekend’s Misano round.

Kazuki Watanabe, a Suzuki endurance racer, will take his place at Suzuki. He will make his MotoGP debut in Misano after competing in five Grand Prix in the 250cc/Moto2 class in 2009 and 2010.

All factory team places for the 2023 season have been reserved with Mir’s signing with Honda.