Honda’s struggles in the last four MotoGP seasons have been evident, but a promising pre-season test in Sepang as Joan Mir happy about where they stand.

Honda have not done enough to suggest they can be challengers for race wins yet, however, the pace shown by Mir in particular was very strong at Sepang, particul🐭arly on day three. 

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Seven tenths off Francesco Bagnaia who 👍set a new unofficial lap record, Mir was pleased with bo💛th his one lap pace and race simulation.

“The reality is that ๊we’ve been a lot faster than last year,” said Mir. “We have to be happy because we improved. On the other hand, we are not where we want to be.

“Today I was able to make a 57.3 which was a good lap time. When I was trꦫying to make the second tyre work I crashed on the out lap at the final corner when I opened the line. 

“There was something on the tracꦜk and I 🦋lost the front there. 

"So I couldn’t make the lap there and maybe I co✨uld have improved. When I pushed the lap time was there. 

“It’s not every dಌay that you make a 57.3. This is a good lap time. ♋We improved more than the others because we are closer.

“Then, we made ten laps in a row and I was able to stay in the 1m 58s which is not bad. I saw the l♑aps of Pecco and Martin and they were in the 58 low/medium and I was in the 58 high.

“There is half a second there in pace with all♐ the stuff we need to improve, but we know that we need to improve. We gave ♌good comments and in Qatar we will have something more, I’m sure.”

While the RC213V has seemingly taken a step forward in many🐷 areas, it’s the front-end feeling ಌthat Mir is most excited about.

“I have a better feeling with the front,” added🀅 Mir. “This is great. I feel worse when the heat comes up. 

"When the track surfac🤪e is high we don’t have a lot ౠof grip so you have to work with the front, but the temperature rises up and it’s more difficult to stop the bike.

“That is a point where you always make 🃏a difference and we c﷽annot make this difference.

“But wꦍe improved and we hav﷽e to say that in Japan they did a very good job.

“I expect to have something more in Qatar. If w𒁃e make another step forward we will be very close.”