MotoGP British GP: 'Our Break was Bit Longer', Says Joan Mir as Honda Gets Ready for 2023 Season's Second Half

With Joan Mir rejoining Marc Marquez with the Repsol Honda Team, the MotoGP World Championship will pick up where it left off five weeks ago at the legendary Silverstone circuit for the British Grand Prix. Silverstone is the longest track on the MotoGP schedule with its 18-turn layout and its 5.9km length. Although the track's combination of long straights, fast corners, and tight and technical sections usually results in close racing, the MotoGP paddock will face a new challenge in 2023 when it switches back to using 'The Wing' and moves the start-finish line to the Hamilton Straight from the National Pit Straight. Marc Marquez and his partner Joan Mir had a rough start to the season with the RC213V, but both of them are prepared for the resumption of the championship and he is approaching it with a newfound sense of enthusiasm. It goes without saying that both of its riders are eager to try out the improvements made to the bike by the Japanese manufacturer over the summer break.

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MotoGP British GP: Joan Mir, Marc Marquez Returns for Silverstone Race

After suffering an injury in the Italian Grand Prix in June, Joan Mir has made a full recovery and is ready to compete again. He hopes to return to the podium in the British Grand Prix but first must get back up to speed after missing some time due to injury. The 2023 MotoGP season will conclude with 12 more races, the first of which takes place this weekend.

Joan Mir Said, "Our break was a bit longer than everyone else’s, but I am now fully recovered from the injury I suffered in Mugello. I’ve been back training and riding different kinds of bikes like normal for a few weeks now so I am feeling good physically. The goal for the weekend is to make the most of every session and get back into the mindset of MotoGP and racing after so many weeks away. It will be great to see everyone again and get back on the Honda RC213V."

After dropping from the German and Aesens races owing to injury, Marc Marquez is making his comeback for the Honda. During his almost month-long break this summer, Marc Marquez has rested, trained, and begun preparation for the remainder of the season. With six podium finishes at Silverstone, he is a consistent contender. Marquez plans to utilise the Grand Prix to continue developing the Honda RC213V and work with the to boost its performance.

Marc Marquez said, "We have enjoyed an important Summer Break, a chance to reset and recover after a demanding start to the year. From the physical and mental side, I come back to the track refreshed and ready to work. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in the Repsol Honda Team again and understanding the work that has been done over the break. Silverstone is a circuit where I have had a lot of good battles in the past. The most important is to get back on the bike, get back to working and try to improve on how the first half of the year has been.'

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MotoGP to Tweak Race Weekend Format

MotoGP has announced changes to the MotoGP weekend itinerary for the 2023 Silverstone event. Following a vote in which all MotoGP class teams participated, the Grand Prix Commission (GPC) reached a consensus and approved the newly proposed structure for the race weekend.

The most notable change is that Friday's 45-minute Free Practise session will no longer serve as a timed qualifying session for Saturday's Qualifying 2. All MotoGP teams agreed, and the Grand Prix Commission accepted the change. As of now, only a second practice session on Friday afternoon will be timed for entry into Q2. Before the sprint race on Saturday morning, riders and teams will be given a 30-minute Free Practice 2 session. Sunday's race remains unchanged.