Honda HRC has chosen Somkiat Chantra to replace Joan Mir at the 2026 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix. MotoGP announced the arrangement on 23 September. Mir will miss Japan and Indonesia because of health problems. Chantra’s confirmed assignment is currently the Japanese round at Motegi; the replacement for Indonesia has not been announced.
From a Moto2 victory to RC213V points: Chantra’s Motegi experience
Chantra took his second Moto2 victory at the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix. After moving to the premier class, he finished 15th at Motegi on an RC213V for LCR Honda in 2025. WorldSBK’s retrospective published the same day noted that it was one of five points finishes in his rookie season and matched his second-best result of that year.
Thailand’s first MotoGP rider moved to Honda HRC’s WorldSBK programme in 2026, keeping him within the Honda organisation. Before Japan, he still has the WorldSBK Cremona round on 25–27 September. This substitute appearance brings him back to the premier class with Honda’s factory team.
Mir continues resting as medical team has yet to establish the cause
Honda’s medical update on 22 September explained Mir’s absence from two further rounds. After retiring from San Marino and missing Austria, he continued examinations at Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona. MotoGP medical director Dr Angel Charte said the symptoms had persisted for months and recently worsened, with the cause still unconfirmed. The medical team recommended strict rest and rehabilitation for the next 15 days, ruling him out of Japan and Indonesia.
INKA SPORTS analysis: why Japan’s return and Indonesia’s staffing need separate treatment
The Indonesia arrangement also faces a specific scheduling clash. MotoGP’s official calendar places Japan on 2–4 October and the Indonesian Grand Prix on 11 October. WorldSBK’s official calendar puts Estoril on 9–11 October. Japan and Chantra’s Cremona duties therefore fall on different weekends, but the next MotoGP round in Indonesia coincides with his WorldSBK schedule.
For this temporary return, Chantra’s experience of completing last year’s MotoGP race at Motegi on the RC213V is more directly relevant than his 2023 Moto2 victory alone. Japan will test how he uses that experience on returning to the premier class. The choice for Indonesia must also confront the clash with WorldSBK’s Estoril round. Competitive adaptation at Motegi and staffing for the following event are separate issues in this arrangement.
Summary
Honda has secured Mir’s replacement for its Japanese home race, bringing Chantra back to MotoGP at familiar Motegi. The next two points to follow are his return performance and the team’s selection for Indonesia. Mir remains under medical observation; the recommendation for 15 days of rest does not establish a definite comeback date.
