MotoGP Qatar: Jake Dixon replaces Joan Mir at Honda HRC
The newsroomUpdated on November 5, 20263 minHonda HRC confirms Jake Dixon in place of Joan Mir for the Qatar GP at Lusail, alongside Luca Marini, after the Spaniard's dizziness at Sepang.
Key point
Jake Dixon, a Honda WorldSBK rider, replaces Joan Mir on the factory Honda HRC MotoGP bike at the Qatar GP, alongside Luca Marini.
Honda HRC has confirmed Jake Dixon for the MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix. The Briton replaces Joan Mir, who will miss the race, and shares the garage with Luca Marini on the Honda RC213V at Lusail.
Why Mir is being replaced
Joan Mir returned from fatigue-related vision issues at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang. However, he had to stop midway through the race when the dizziness came back, according to Crash.net. He is still recovering, GP-Inside reports.
Who is Jake Dixon?
Jake Dixon currently rides for Honda HRC's WorldSBK project. He spent seven years in Grand Prix racing, from 2019 to 2025, and won seven Moto2 races.
In MotoGP he made two starts in 2021 with Petronas Yamaha SRT, without scoring a point in the premier class. His best result is 19th at Silverstone. His 2026 WorldSBK season was disrupted by injuries, but he still posted five top-ten finishes.
A WorldSBK season hit by injuries
In his rookie WorldSBK season, Dixon missed a large part of the calendar through injury, with sixth place as his best finish. The call from Honda HRC therefore gives him a rare chance to show himself at the highest level. He is approaching the weekend with caution, though: it has been a while since he rode a MotoGP bike, and he plans to build up step by step without setting a specific target.
A season of stand-ins at Honda
Dixon joins the riders called up as cover at Honda this season: Cal Crutchlow, Takaaki Nakagami, Aleix Espargaró and his WorldSBK team-mate Somkiat Chantra have all filled in before.
What to watch at Lusail
- How Dixon adapts to the RC213V; he plans to build up step by step.
- His first MotoGP outing since 2021.
- The in-house comparison with Luca Marini at Honda HRC.
Dixon thanked Honda HRC for the opportunity and wished Joan Mir a quick return.
The editorial team
Frequently asked questions
Who replaces Joan Mir at the Qatar GP?
Jake Dixon, a Briton who rides for Honda in WorldSBK, will ride the HRC Honda RC213V at Lusail.
Why is Joan Mir missing the race?
He had returned from fatigue-related vision issues and had to stop at Sepang when the dizziness came back, according to Crash.net.
What MotoGP experience does Jake Dixon have?
He has two MotoGP starts, in 2021, and won seven Moto2 races between 2019 and 2025.
Sources
- Crash.net — Jake Dixon gets Honda MotoGP chance in Qatar
- GP-Inside — Dixon replaces Joan Mir in Qatar
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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