Suzuki's Joan Mir has broken his silence over a potential switch to Repsol Honda for 2023, admitting it would be a "big challenge" to ride for the most successful team in premier class history. The Mallorcan has been linked with a move to HRC ever since the Hamamatsu factory announced it would be leaving MotoGP™ at the end of the season, but, up until now, he has remained tight-lipped when questioned about his future.
However, whilst speaking to Amy Reynolds of ITV, the 2020 World Champion opened up for the first time on the prospect of lining up in the iconic Repsol Honda colours in 2023. Partnering eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez has been a somewhat poisoned chalice in recent years, with Dani Pedrosa the last man to take victory in the opposite side of the garage back in November 2017.
But Mir admitted he's not put off by the near five-year victory drought on the second of HRC's factory RC213Vs: "Yes, this is true [it's not easy to partner Marquez]. To ride for Repsol Honda is a big challenge. It is something that, for every rider in the paddock, it's such a difficult challenge. But it's not a bad option. Marc is a rider that you can learn a lot from. We will see."
Since moving to the premier class in 2019, Mir has been an integral part of Suzuki's MotoGP™ project. He helped the blue brand to a first premier class title in nearly two decades when he clinched the 2020 crown in only his second season. And, although visits to parc ferme have dried up in recent months, the two-time World Champion says Suzuki will forever hold a special place in his heart.
"For sure it is," said Mir when asked if moving to a different factory for the first time is daunting. "But I am sure that if we were able to find this harmony and feeling within this team, then we will find it in a different team. Inside my heart, I will always be a Suzuki rider."