There is a trivial expression which says that when a boat sinks, the rats leave the ship but listening to Alex Marquez on his choice to stop his Honda adventure to join a Ducati, it sounds a lot like that. Firstly because it was he who decided to move, then because he recognizes that he is exhausted in an environment without direction. The hardest part for HRC will undoubtedly be the passage where the younger Marquez specifies that he received the support of his older brother Marc Marquez, which will relaunch a lot of rumors about after 2024...
But it's still 2022 and Alex Marquez has determined its future for 2023. On motoracenation, we read his explanations of what led him to change course. Because it is not Honda who questioned it but the driver who questions the manufacturer… “ I spoke with Lucio Cecchinello and told him that I didn't see myself on this bike, that it was my choice and I didn't know if I was going to go home or where. But I didn't see myself here anymore. I need a change. Mentally we had a very difficult season and a half and I needed a change, and this change will help me a lot ».
He adds : " I didn't have the motivation to continue, I'm super happy with the team but I didn't see myself there, mentally I needed a change to continue growing as a driver and as a person and with the Gresini team I found the right best package to continue growing and continue to get results with a bike that we know works ».
He says again: “I think it's the best option I could have on the table, so I'm happy. Now with the future closed, I will be able to go on vacation and try to finish the season in the best way possible ».
The rest of his argument will undoubtedly raise the hackles of a certain person. Alberto puig… Because she speaks of a Ducati which, a priori, is the most universal motorcycle and which adapts to different riders as he describes: “ until you try a motorcycle you don't know how it will fit your style, but with the Ducati we see that riders with different styles have ended up adapting. They're more or less consistent but they're all fast at some point, so it's a great opportunity. Sometimes it's clear that you doubt yourself. What's better than having a Ducati and if next year doesn't go as it should, I'll be the first to say that I'm not good, that I'm not cut out to be here ».
Alex Marquez: “ Honda is a factory that has lost its way at the moment«
« In 2020 I think I showed the level to be in MotoGP, I am a double world champion, but you have to prove all that on the track and that's why I made the decision, I think I can do well there, otherwise I wouldn't have made the decision" insists Alex Marquez. “ But first we have to finish 2022 », he recalls. “ I will continue to give my best on the track because I have a contract and I am a professional ».
The decision to change brands distances him professionally from his brother Marc, linked to Honda since he arrived in MotoGP, something they have already discussed: “ Marc asked me what I wanted, if I saw myself at Honda or not, I told him I needed a change and when a decision is made we support each other and he supported me, like a normal brother would ».
Alex Marquez ends with words that will seem harsh from Japan: “ Honda is a factory that has lost its way at the moment, but if any brand can react it’s Honda. Mentally and personally I needed a change, to continue growing and this is the best option I had. I lifted a weight off my shoulders, I wanted to go on vacation in peace, I need rest more than ever ».
