An incredible run of six races in seven weeks is almost over as Joan Mir and Luca Marini prepare for the penultimate race of the 2024 World Championship.
Almost nine months after the first test of 2024, the Repsol Honda Team return to the Sepang International Circuit for round 19 of the season. Since the first run on track back in early February, the work has been intense and consistent from the entirety of Honda HRC as the development of the Honda RC213V has continued at pace. The Malaysian GP offers a unique opportunity for riders and engineers to more directly compare the progress made over the course of the year.
Joan Mir’s motivation is as high as ever as he touches down in Kuala Lumpur, the #36 ending his pointless run with 15th in Thailand. Not satisfied with the end result of the Thai GP weekend, Mir is out to capitalize on the improvements made in recent rounds and to continue working to overcome the vibrations which have plagued him in the second half of the season.
With constant progress over the course of the year, there are few riders more eager for a return to the 5.54 kilometers of Sepang than Luca Marini. His last visit to the track in February seems almost a lifetime ago and this weekend will give the Italian as well as Honda HRC a clear definition of how Marini and the bike have evolved over the last 19 race weekends.
Once the Malaysian GP comes to a close just a single stop remains on the journey of 2024, the Valencia GP. A final chance to end the season on a positive note before diving straight into preparations for 2025 just a few days later at the very same track.