Joan Mir appears set to return to Honda at next week’s Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang. The 2020 MotoGP world champion posted a photograph with his flat-track bike and the caption “See you in Malaysia”, offering the clearest indication yet that he is preparing to race again. Mir finished on the podium at Sepang last year.

His health problems became apparent at September’s San Marino Grand Prix, where he said he was functioning at 50 per cent of his maximum energy levels. He then missed the Austrian, Japanese and Indonesian rounds. Honda fielded Takaaki Nakagami in Austria and Somkiat Chantra in Japan. In Indonesia, Aleix Espargaro travelled to race in Mir’s place but withdrew before the Sprint.

A Sepang return would leave Mir with four Honda appearances still to come, counting the Malaysian round. Qatar, Portimao and Valencia are scheduled for November, before the Spaniard is expected to move to Gresini for 2027 after four seasons with Honda HRC.

Honda also lost Luca Marini in Australia. He withdrew from the weekend with a viral illness and a high fever. MotoGP chief medical officer Angel Charte said Marini had experienced virus-related muscle weakness in both the upper and lower parts of his body for 48 to 72 hours. His condition will be assessed again in Malaysia.