Joan Mir’s participation in the Qatar Grand Prix remains uncertain after the Honda rider retired from the Malaysian race. The 2020 world champion had returned at Sepang after being sidelined from the end of the San Marino round by an illness that brought extreme fatigue and vision problems. His comeback therefore ended with a new question over whether he will be fit to race at Lusail.</text>,

The symptoms returned during the race itself. Mir said that, around lap nine or ten, his vision became blurred again and he felt he was losing control of the situation. He chose to stop before it became worse, following an agreement made with his team. He had been warned before the Malaysian weekend that the problem could return, but did not expect to experience it again. Mir said he had believed he would be in better shape and described the recurrence as disappointing and worrying.</text>,

Doctors will determine the next step

Mir has not decided whether he will compete in Qatar. He will discuss the situation with his doctors, who will determine whether further tests are needed and whether his treatment should continue. Honda is expected to travel to Lusail, but Mir’s presence and the possibility of a replacement rider remain open questions.</text>,

Mir’s absence would add to a Qatar grid already affected by Yamaha’s withdrawal from the event. If all four Yamaha riders are absent, the entry would fall from 22 competitors to 18. Alex Márquez is due to miss the race for surgery, reducing that hypothetical total to 17. Uncertainty over Raúl Fernández and Jorge Martín because of injuries could bring the number of starters down to 15 in the same scenario. These figures depend on every one of those absences and do not represent a confirmed starting grid.</text>,