Image: from Honda HRC Castrol – MotoGP X@HRC_MotoGP
By Open Chronicle Staff | February 4, 2026
SEPANG, Malaysia — The second day of MotoGP pre-season testing in Sepang delivered a dramatic shift in momentum, as Honda’s Joan Mir set a blistering pace to lead the field while Yamaha took the extraordinary step of grounding its entire fleet.
In a session characterized by fluctuating weather and technical intrigue, Mir emerged as the standout performer. Riding for the Honda HRC Castrol team, the Spaniard broke into the 1:56s bracket with a lap of 1:56.874. The time represents the fastest lap ever recorded by a Honda rider at the Malaysian circuit, signaling a potential resurgence for the Japanese giant as it prepares for the 2026 campaign.
Joan Mir tops the morning session on day two of the test! 🔥
The Spaniard's 1:56.874 is Honda's fastest-ever lap around Sepang and more than 0.5 seconds quicker than Mir's 2025 qualifying lap 🚀#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/h5cIjvCaGB
— MGP1 (@mgp1official) February 4, 2026
Despite the milestone, Mir and teammate Luca Marini, who finished sixth, remained grounded. Both riders emphasized that their priority lies in data collection and refining the RC213V’s 2026 package rather than chasing headline times.
Yamaha’s Silent Garages
The day’s most startling development occurred behind the closed doors of the Yamaha pits. Following Fabio Quartararo’s injury-inducing crash on Tuesday, Yamaha opted not to send a single bike onto the track for the duration of Wednesday’s session.
Team officials confirmed that while the general nature of the issue is understood, the root cause remains under investigation. As a precaution, both the factory Monster Energy Yamaha squad and the Prima Pramac satellite team remained stationary, a significant blow to their development schedule with only one day of testing remaining in Sepang.
Rain stopped play early on day 2 at Sepang. Honda ahead, with Joan Mir into the 56s. Meanwhile disaster for Yamaha, who have withdrawn all their bikes while they investigate a tech problem, presumably engine or gearbox. Will they get it figured out for tomorrow's final day? pic.twitter.com/LVK0oe2sLI
— Mat Oxley (@matoxley) February 4, 2026
Ducati and KTM Maintain Pressure
While Honda grabbed the headlines, Ducati’s consistency remained on display. Franco Morbidelli was the only other rider to join Mir in the 1:56s, finishing just 0.109 seconds behind the leader. Fabio Di Giannantonio rounded out the top three, reporting improved front-end feel on his Desmosedici. Yesterday’s leader, Marc Márquez, took a more conservative approach, ending the day in 15th after completing 30 laps.
KTM also showed promising form with rising star Pedro Acosta. Utilizing a new front fairing, Acosta secured the fourth-fastest time, consistently lapping in the 1:57s.
Weather Disruptions
Tropical rain cut the afternoon program short, preventing several riders, including world champion Francesco Bagnaia, from completing planned Sprint simulations. Bagnaia finished the day in eighth but expressed satisfaction with the bike’s overall feedback.
For Brazilian rookie Diogo Moreira, the rain provided a valuable learning opportunity. Despite a crash earlier in the week, Moreira returned to the track to sample MotoGP machinery in wet conditions for the first time, noting “consistent progress” in his adaptation to the premier class.
With one day left in the Sepang test, the paddock remains on edge. All eyes will be on whether Yamaha can resolve its technical concerns and if Mir’s record-breaking pace is a true omen of a Honda comeback.