Joan Mir: I didn’t have the good feeling with the front

Joan Mir missed out on a top ten position during Friday’s MotoGP FP2 session which could prove vital with uncertain weather surrounding the Circuit de la Sarthe. 

The 2020 world champion suffered a crash on his final flying lap at Garage Vert (turn 8), before finishing 13th in the end. 

Mir enjoyed a good FP1 in the wet as he finished third fastest, but it was the change to dry conditions that saw him struggle. 

"Like usual here in Le Mans it was an unpredictable day no? In the morning we rode in wet conditions and I felt quite good in wet. I felt we were making good steps and the bike was not bad so I am happy," said Mir. 

"Then in dry conditions it was a little bit more difficult. I was not really competitive. 

"My feeling with the front was not really good and when I tried to make the lap times I completely lost the front in that corner, and if it didn’t happen there it would have been the next one. Something is not right at the moment. For sure we can fix it."

Mir described Le Mans as a venue where you need lots of confidence with the front especially as the ‘tyre consumption’ is not high.

Mir added: "Here the tyre consumption is not high and means what you need here is confidence with the front and good temperature on the front tyre to turn well, brake well and make the lap-time with more confidence. 

"I did not have that confidence. I didn’t have that feeling and that’s why it was a barrier for me for one lap-time and I was not able to improve because of this. 

"When I put the new tyre I was improving, honestly to be in the Q2 but I lost the front. I know in these conditions our limit of the bike is there and that’s important to continue working to try and make a better balanced bike for tomorrow."

During FP1 news was released by Dorna of the Finland Grand Prix being cancelled for 2021 and instead replaced by a second Austrian round. 

Mir has a great record at the Spielberg venue and looked on course for his first MotoGP win there last year before a red flag halted his charge.

The Spanish rider was asked about his thoughts on this and said: "It’s true that the Suzuki, well, it is something I don't understand so well but in Austria I was strong so two races there could be positive for me. 

"It is a track that fits well to my style and I like it. I think they want to make some modifications but not for this year. 

"This is something that we knew – it will be dangerous there but it’s important that every rider knows it and we pay even more attention on the race and try not to make stupid things, and avoid a dangerous situation in that corner like last year. 

"We have to be responsible but I think the track is available to make it great and quite safe."