Mir: "I have to drive unnaturally to do the one-lap time"

Fast lap time has not historically been Suzuki ‘s strong point, with Mir in 2020 being the first world champion since Wayne Rainey in 1992 to win the title without a pole position.

The only pole for Hamamatsu’s men since he returned to MotoGP in 2015 is still that of Aleix Espargaró at the Catalunya GP that year, where he was ahead of his teammate Maverick Viñales.

In both Qatar Grands Prix this season, Mir failed to earn a direct pass to Q2 in practice, qualifying 10th and 9th on the grid for both races.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Mir said of the Suzuki in qualifying. “We are far away, but we are getting closer and we know in which areas we have to improve because it is very difficult for me to make a good lap time.”

“I have to drive in a different way and it’s not natural for me to drive in this way to make the lap time.

Joan Mir, Team Suzuki MotoGP

Despite everything, Mir came back in the Qatar GP to fourth position, cruelly losing second place when he was overtaken by the Ducati of Johann Zarco and Pecco Bagnaia on the finish line, while in Doha he had pace of podium but finished seventh after several incidents.

The Suzuki’s ability to conserve its tires allowed both Mir and team-mate Alex Rins to overcome poor qualifying performances from 2020, but the Spaniard has insisted that one of the most important things is to improve on Saturdays.

“Normally I am much more nervous and stressed on Saturday than on Sunday,” he said. “It is something that we have to fix, because it is not normal to be so far from our rivals in one lap.”

“In the end, if you look at the [race] pace we are always very good, we ride very well. But what is not normal is that our rivals are able to improve a second and a half [in qualifying]. what we have to work on.”

“Also, my natural style is not helping me. Normally I am very aggressive and to make a lap time you have to be. But with this bike you have to be very smooth and very relaxed.”

Joan Mir’s photos in Qatar

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Press conference Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing, Johann Zarco, Pramac Racing, Joan Mir, Team Suzuki MotoGP, Maverick Viñales, Yamaha Factory Racing, Alex Rins, Team Suzuki MotoGP, Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team

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Fabio Quartararo, Yamaha Factory Racing, Johann Zarco, Pramac Racing, Joan Mir, Team Suzuki MotoGP, Maverick Vinales, Yamaha Factory Racing, Alex Rins, Team Suzuki MotoGP, Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team