Jake Dixon is expected to make his first start for Honda’s factory MotoGP team at this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix, replacing Joan Mir, according to The Race’s sources in the paddock. Dixon has made two previous MotoGP appearances, both in 2021, but has not yet raced for Honda in the premier class.
Mir withdrew from last weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix after dizziness returned during the race. The problem was linked to an eyesight issue that had also caused fatigue. Mir said he began feeling dizzy on lap nine and chose to stop because he could not control the situation. He had also missed four consecutive rounds earlier in the season.
Dixon, 30, moved to World Superbike racing in 2026 and has had an injury-disrupted first campaign, missing the opening five rounds with a pre-season wrist injury. He was reportedly believed to have joined the Superbike team with the option of becoming a MotoGP substitute if required.
Honda previously chose Dixon’s team-mate Somkiat Chantra to replace Mir at the Japanese Grand Prix last month. Chantra finished 13th, matching his best result in MotoGP.
Dixon’s earlier premier-class starts came with Petronas SRT in 2021, when he was promoted from Moto2 to stand in for the injured Franco Morbidelli. He finished 19th at Silverstone before crashing out at the Aragon Grand Prix.
Sources: The Race.