Mir “I would be happy with a podium at Mugello, not with anything else”

May 29, 2021

The man from Suzuki is aware that he must start closing the gap if he wants to have a chance of defending the title won last season. Sixth overall, 31 points behind Fabio Quartararo, Joan Mir hopes to take a step forward this weekend, although it won’t be easy starting ninth, from the third row of the grid.

“I am satisfied with the work this Saturday. We were able to get through to Q2 and survived quite well. FP4 has been consistent, I have been one of the few that has not put new rubber and was at the top. We have taken a giant step from yesterday to today and the team’s work is being really good”, said Mir quite animated.

Despite this, the Spaniard will have to start ninth, a kind of barrier in classification that he cannot overcome.

“I want to think that we can improve and that it will improve, but it is complicated. For my part, I am going to say that there is margin, you can make a good time. In FP3 I was able to pass well, without problems to Q2”.

Once in it, Mir did not have the best set-up.

“In FP4 I worked for the race, that will help us to be more consistent with very worn tyres, but Q2 didn’t go well for me, it was difficult for me to get down to 1:45. It was a shame because I think I could have fought for a little more today. It is true that qualifying is an Achilles heel that we have, but we also do good first laps, so nothing happens”.

The Suzuki rider was concerned on Friday with the aggressiveness of the bike.

“It has improved a lot, especially in stability and braking. Yesterday it was difficult to drive, but the team has worked very well. I’m not where I want to be yet, but it’s the start of something. We are on the right track and there is room for improvement. I was able to ride more relaxed and more effectively. But I am left with the taste that there was a margin in Q2”, to finish later on the grid.

Facing the goals that he sets for the race, Mir was ambitious.

“Tomorrow I would be happy with a podium, not with anything else. It will be difficult because there are quite a few fast riders, but I will try to play my cards and see where we get to”.

“I will try to give one hundred percent, all we have is the goal. Looking to the end of the race we can do something, move forward a bit. At the beginning it will be difficult, we lack power compared to KTM and Ducati , who are the ones ahead, but I will try to stay focused and go home satisfied, which would mean fighting for the podium”.

Finally, the world champion had the best wishes for a speedy recovery for the young Dupasquier.

“It is a very difficult type of situation. We waited a long time, we were already prepared to go out and not do it because it’s not clear what happens with a rider on the ground, and he stays for a long time, well, he doesn’t like it. We pilots empathize a lot with this type of situation. We all risk hurting ourselves. I hope Jason is okay and recovers as soon as possible. Let’s cross our fingers,” settled Mir.