Mir: Suzuki ‘clearly improved’ top speed, most race-ready team

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

Both Mir and Alex Rins have been two of the fastest and most consistent riders 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 thinks 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 completion: “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 fast 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 with the used soft front and the rear new and it was really difficult to make the lap time. 

"I made the 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 his 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, and 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 difficult to overtake. 

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