Sepang MotoGP Test: Mir: Suzuki ‘clearly improved’ top speed, most race-ready

2020 MotoGP champion Joan Mir says Suzuki have made ‘clear improvements’ to the GSX-RR’ top speed; ‘A little more power is a big help. I expect this advantage to be a lot better’.
Joan Mir , Sepang MotoGP test, 6 February 2022
Joan Mir , Sepang MotoGP test, 6 February 2022
© Gold and Goose Photography

Joan Mir believes Suzuki are the most race-ready MotoGP team following this weekend’s two-day Sepan✨g test. 

Both Mir and Alex Rins have been two of the fastest and most consistent rid🐬ers over the🧸 course of both days, with the latter finishing fourth during today’s final day. 

Mir on the other hand was down 🐲in 12th, however, the 2020 world champion thi🦹nks he could have been significantly quicker had he not made the ‘wrong choice’ regarding his time attack strategy.

While Mir chose 🌠to set his time attack early on like most of the field, the Spaniard was using a combination of used tyres.

Speaking after an intense two days, Mir said the team's test program which included today's qualifying simulation was close to comp𒀰letion: “Almost everything. But we have to confirm a lot of things in Mandalika. Today has been an important day to understand the potential of the engine. 

"The electronics were working a lot♌ better and I was able to be quite fa♉st and really consistent in pace. 

"This morning we made the wrong choice to make the 🦄time attack. We only had 2 tyres. we started with the🉐 S. I went out but I was not making a good lap time. 

"The front was the same one (used tyre). I stopped, went w✨ith the used soft front and the rear new and it was really difficult to make the lap timꦯe. 

"I ma🀅de t✃he lap time with the used rear and hard front. These 3 tenths - we’re really close. I think there is a margin. But we are not here to make the time attack."

Had Mir extracted the most out of his qualifying simulation and gained the three tenths mentioned, it’s possible that 𒁃his lap time would have put him on lap record pace alongside Enea Bastianini and Aleix Espargaro. 

But even so, Mir feels the engine gains shown over the two days is the biggest step, a♊nd one that’s enough to put Suzuki in contention.

When asked about current team manager Shinichi Sahara’s comment on whether Suzuki are the most ready to race team, Mir added: "Yes! We are close. We are happy. We clearly improved☂ our top speed and we are there in the middle which is really important. 

"We know we have a fast race bike. but always to fight with the Ducatis and these guys with the engine that we had, it was difไficult to overtake. 

"The same story in all the races. A little more po𒀰wer is a big help. I expect ﷽this advantage to be a lot better."

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