Despite leading the Q2 qualifying session for a large portion - a feat that would’ve secured him his first pole position since Moto3 - Mir started the sprint and Sunday races in COTA from fifth place, but ultimately scored no points by the end of the weekend.

During the sprint, Mir was very close to achieving a podium finish ahead of Pedro Acosta, but slid out of his very comfortable P4 with an unforced error - a sight MotoGP fans have become all too used to seeing in recent years.

Mir insisted that he had “zero regrets” about the weekend, and largely blames Honda for the troubles he is having.

“I think that I was in a position yesterday and also today to go to attack, and to recover as much as I could on the [corner] entry the amount of speed we lose on the [corner] exit,” He said.

“We have to improve the rear, to ride in a more relaxed way in the front. [...] I will try to do my best to help the team to do so, but the reality is that now if we don't improve that, it will be difficult to fight with them [other bikes] if I don't take these risks.”

The dismal start to 2026, which has seen him crash out of every Sunday race so far, adds to a grim record of 35 DNFs in 59 races for Honda - a retirement rate of nearly 60%.

You would be forgiven for thinking Mir had been axed from the Honda team already if you look at their website: Luca Marini, Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira are all proudly celebrated on the home page, while Mir is nowhere to be seen.

Ducati certainly have some work to do if they want to catch up with 2026's dominant force, Aprilia, this year. Team bosses have been in panic mode after a disappointing COTA, but not all hope is lost as all eyes turn to Jerez and the potential upgrades Ducati could bring there.