Honda has endured a miserable 2023 season, with Mir yet to score any more points since the opening grand prix of the season in Portugal back in March.
As MotoGP made its debut on the Buddh International Circuit on Friday, the RC213V proved to be competitive in the hands of Marc Marquez and Mir, who were fourth and 10th overall having also both been inside the top 10 in FP1.
Mir, who felt the weekend would be a “struggle” as Honda hadn’t brought the 2024 chassis it tested at Misano and that he felt better on, admitted Friday was “mentally very good” for him.
But he cautioned that the pace demonstrated by Honda was “not real”, as everyone is still getting used to the new circuit.
“Well, I think… I was speaking before, that I don’t think this is quite real, let’s say, because it’s a new track,” Mir said.
“I think in this type of situation you can make the difference a bit more in terms of riding style.
“The other bikes, us also, still have room for improvement in this track. Like in Misano, it’s more difficult to get that extra tenth.
“I think here [in India] there’s more margin for everyone.
“Plus, I’m enjoying the track plus we were working quite well today. I think that test in Misano was quite helpful for me and the team.”
Source: Autosport