Joan Mir will join the Gresini Racing team for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons, transitioning to the Ducati Desmosedici after a challenging tenure with Honda. According to RiderTua.com, Mir will move to a satellite team for the first time in his career, partnering with rookie Daniel Holgado during the transition to the 850cc engine era and Pirelli tires.
Joan Mir’s Transition from Honda to Ducati Gresini
Joan Mir’s move to Gresini marks a strategic shift for the World Champion. After spending his first seven years in MotoGP exclusively with factory teams—first Suzuki and then Honda—Mir is stepping into the satellite environment. He will ride the Ducati Desmosedici GP27, which is the same factory-spec machinery used by Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta at Ducati Lenovo.
The decision follows a difficult period at Honda Racing Corporation (HRC). Mir’s statistics with the “Winged” brand highlight a struggle for consistency. Out of 73 races started with Honda since 2023, Mir crossed the finish line only 28 times. This represents a DNF (Did Not Finish) or DNS (Did Not Start) rate of 61.6%.
Did you know? Joan Mir is one of the few riders to win a MotoGP World Championship by winning only a single race during the season, a feat he achieved with Suzuki in 2020.
The Risk of the Satellite Move
Mir acknowledged that leaving a factory seat involves significant trade-offs. In a statement reported by RiderTua.com, Mir described the move as a “risky decision” because the high competitiveness of the Ducati package leaves no room for excuses if performance dips.
“When we move to a satellite team, there are many things that must be sacrificed,” Mir stated. He noted that the move is a personal choice to regain his competitive edge, emphasizing that his career in MotoGP is not infinite as he approaches 29 years of age.
Performance Comparison: Honda vs. Ducati Potential
While Mir’s time at Honda was marred by frequent crashes—earning him the nickname “King of Crash”—he did secure two third-place podiums in 2025 at Motegi and Sepang. However, the move to Ducati represents a shift toward the most competitive bike on the grid.
| Metric | Honda Tenure (73 Races) | Gresini/Ducati (2027-28) |
|---|---|---|
| Finish Rate | 28/73 | TBD |
| Team Status | Factory (HRC) | Satellite (Gresini) |
| Machinery | Honda | Ducati Desmosedici GP27 |
Mental Resilience and Career Motivation
Mir attributes his ability to secure a two-year contract with Gresini to his persistence. Despite the high crash rate at Honda, he claims that his willingness to keep pushing and “never give up” kept him in the conversation for a competitive seat.
According to Mir, this move is not about proving a point to critics, but about personal satisfaction. He stated that he wanted to avoid a future where he would wonder if he could have achieved more had he continued for two more years.
Pro Tip: For fans following the 2027 season, watch the interaction between Mir and rookie Daniel Holgado. The pairing of a seasoned World Champion with a newcomer on identical Ducati machinery will provide a clear benchmark for Mir’s recovery.
FAQ: Joan Mir’s Move to Gresini Ducati
Why did Joan Mir leave Honda?
While not explicitly stated as a firing, HRC did not extend Mir’s contract for 2027 following a period where he failed to finish a large percentage of his races.
Which bike will Joan Mir ride in 2027?
He will ride the Ducati Desmosedici GP27, the same specification as the factory Ducati Lenovo bikes.
Who is Joan Mir’s teammate at Gresini?
Mir will be paired with rookie rider Daniel Holgado.
What do you think about Joan Mir’s decision to move to a satellite team? Can the Ducati machinery return him to the podium? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more MotoGP updates.