Aleix Espargaro will not take part in the Indonesian Grand Prix as announced by Honda before warm‑up.
Espargaro, 37, stepped into the team to replace Joan Mir who is medically unfit, but the test rider withdrew after completing a month‑long recovery from a serious back injury and surgery on the T3 and T4 vertebrae.
On Saturday he finished last in the sprint—20th place, 38 seconds adrift of Marc Márquez—before admitting, “I’m very tired” and warning that he might not start the main race. Honda cited persistent physical discomfort caused by the inactivity at the start of 2026 and the demanding nature of the Mandalika International Circuit as the reason for the withdrawal.
The decision also aligns with Honda’s objective to progress its 850cc prototype, scheduled for the 2027 technical regulations. With a limited rider pool after Takaaki Nakagami’s injury on Friday at the Japanese GP, Espargaro will now head straight to Sepang on 14 and 15 October to conduct a crucial test for the upcoming season.
Mir’s continued unavailability raises the question of who will step in for the Australian Grand Prix on 25 October. Honda has not yet named a replacement. The spike in demand for a capable rider will intensify as the season nears its climax.
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