Mir tested the prototype RC213V chassis at Misano after the San Marino Grand Prix earlier this month and described the new bike as a step in the right direction, even as he felt it failed to deliver the kind of performance gains he wants for 2024.

Following the test session, Mir didn’t rule out the possibility of racing the 2024 Honda in the final part of the season but stopped short of revealing where the prototype could make its debut.

Speaking at the Buddh International Circuit on Thursday, Mir revealed that he had held talks with Honda about racing the RC213V as early as this weekend’s India round.

However, apparent logistical issues with shipping the bike from Misano to Asia prevented the marque from giving its 2024 prototype an early debut in India and will now hopefully do so in Japan.

“We didn’t receive the bike here,” he said. "Honestly, I expected it but we don’t have it. We will make the weekend as the previous one, so we will struggle, that’s it.

"They said they had some trouble on the transport to Japan because they wanted first to ship to Japan, then here [to India].

"It’s a shame we don’t have it here, but I hope to have it in Japan to be able to make more laps to understand.

"If it’s the right direction it will be very, very helpful for Honda.

"I think it makes sense [to race the new bike], if you’re allowed to go with that prototype because we know the potential of this bike, I know I can hope.

"So it means if I feel better, we can get some important information to say, ‘In that area we improved a lot and there we are not so good’.