MotoGP Indonesia: Espargaró replaces Mir at Honda
The newsroomUpdated on October 6, 20263 minHonda fields Aleix Espargaró at Mandalika, 9 to 11 October, in place of Joan Mir, alongside Luca Marini. Injuries, the 850cc bike and the schedule explained.
Key point
Honda will run 37-year-old Aleix Espargaró at the Indonesian GP (9 to 11 October) instead of the recovering Joan Mir, alongside Luca Marini.
Honda has confirmed the return of Aleix Espargaró to MotoGP for the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika, from 9 to 11 October 2026. The 37-year-old Spaniard will ride Joan Mir's Honda RC213V while Mir continues to recover at home. He makes up the Honda HRC Castrol line-up with Luca Marini.
Why Honda is calling Espargaró back
Honda is short of available riders. Joan Mir is out of the Indonesian round, and Takaaki Nakagami fractured his left collarbone in a crash in first practice at Motegi, where he was racing as a wildcard. He needed surgery. According to team principal Alberto Puig, he will be out for four to five weeks.
Honda had considered Somkiat Chantra, but he is committed to WorldSBK at Estoril the same weekend. With no alternative, the manufacturer turned to its test rider.
A comeback after a serious injury
Aleix Espargaró suffered a severe injury at the base of his spine in a test crash at Sepang in April. He recently returned to the track at Mugello with the prototype but, according to Motorsport.com, his performance was still below his pre-accident level. He has not contested a Grand Prix since last year, when his best result was 16th at Assen.
The call-up complicates Honda's work on the 850cc bike for the 2027 regulations, a programme Nakagami had been leading. Test days in Malaysia are planned after Mandalika, but they are not confirmed.
The schedule at Mandalika
Times below are Paris time:
- Friday 9 October: free practice 1 (04:45) and 2 (09:00)
- Saturday 10 October: qualifying (04:50) and sprint (09:00)
- Sunday 11 October: race at 09:00, over 27 laps of the 4.301 km circuit
Circuit benchmarks
The Mandalika layout is 4.301 km long. In 2025, Marco Bezzecchi took pole there in 1'28"832, and Fermín Aldeguer holds the race lap record at 1'30"499. For Espargaró, returning from a long absence, it will be his first Grand Prix weekend since last year, on a bike he knows as a test rider but at a race pace he has not had to sustain for a long time.
Frequently asked questions
Who replaces Joan Mir at Honda in Indonesia?
Honda test rider Aleix Espargaró will ride Joan Mir's bike at the Indonesian Grand Prix, alongside Luca Marini.
Why does Honda need a replacement?
Joan Mir is recovering and Takaaki Nakagami fractured his left collarbone at Motegi; he will be out for four to five weeks according to Alberto Puig.
When is the Indonesian MotoGP Grand Prix?
From 9 to 11 October 2026 at Mandalika; the race on Sunday 11 October starts at 09:00 Paris time.
Sources
- Motorsport.com — 2026 MotoGP Indonesian GP schedule
- Motorsport.com — Honda calls Aleix Espargaro back
- Motorsport.com Germany — Honda and Nakagami's injury
- Racesport.nl — Espargaró replaces Mir in Indonesia
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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