This Sunday October 16, 2022, Marc Marquez answered questions from journalists from the Phillip Island circuit at the end of the Australian Grand Prix.
It was a driver delighted with his race who presented himself at a press conference…
As usual, we report his words here without the slightest formatting, even if it is translated from English.
Marc Marquez: “First of all, I'm really happy with this podium. It means a lot to me, it means a lot to the people who helped me in this difficult season, and to all the doctors, to all the physios I work with. We are getting better and better, and even Honda is working hard. Nothing has been won now, but they are working really hard for 2023. Yes, this podium means a lot; It means a lot to keep the motivation, to show them that this rider who can win six titles with Honda is there. They always believed in me a lot, and today, to choose the soft rear tire, it was my decision. They were against it, but I said » guys, I'm taking the bet and I'm taking responsibility for it.
– But you’re the only one on the grid!
- Never mind ! This is the only way to be there with this Honda, because with the other tire I know what the problem will be! “
So yes, I managed the race in a good way and I waited until the end before attacking. Unfortunately, I had planned to be in second place but I couldn't. In the last lap I attacked a lot, Rins defended very well, and when the driver in front of you defends well, you can't do anything. In the last corner I tried different things by switching to fifth gear in the middle, just to see, but that was also a mistake. But I'm happy! Happy with how the weekend ended and happy with our performance throughout the weekend. »
What was the plan for the final round?
“I knew that in turn 2 it was not possible to overtake Alex, because I had passed him many times in that corner and so I knew he was going to defend very well, but when I saw that Pecco was there, I said "he doesn't expect it", so I went for it. Then, when I saw that, one of the problems with our bike is braking at the end of the straight, and at turn 4, if you're not super clear, the problem is if you have jerks, like example my brother's mistake, if you have jerks with this Honda you can't stop, you can't take the problem, and it was too risky. I said to myself that I would try between turn 11 and turn 12, but he took it well with good acceleration. But it was a fun ride, which is the most important thing, and I hope the fans enjoyed it too. »
When was the last time you had this much fun?
“The last race where I had fun was in 2020 in Jerez. This race was one of the best races of my career and the end of this race was not the best, but it was one of the best in terms of performance, and I had a lot of fun. Today, I had fun again, but you have to be realistic: it's a left-hand circuit, the pace was super slow and... I didn't push too much in the first 10 or 15 laps and I managed the rear tire and also my physical condition. In Malaysia we will have difficulties again but I think in Valencia we will have another opportunity to be close to the top. We'll see, but we'll have an important winter if we want to fight for the title in 2023."
This is the first time where all the drivers on the podium are drinking from their boots: what did it taste like after 27 laps?
" Taste ? Alcohol has the same effect (laughs)! Because I drank quite a bit there, but now I'm going back down. It's good, because in the end that's what the fans appreciate: all these things, the celebrations, the way of enjoying with them and sharing these moments. If we want to grow MotoGP we have to do it and it comes from within, and when you see them smile you give it your all. »
You said the pace was slow: it was perfect for you until the last 10 laps…
“Yes, at the beginning the pace was very slow, and for me “welcome!” “. It was my dream! Of course, to manage the rear tire it was a good thing. Things became more difficult when Bezzecchi was behind Pecco, because then it was very complicated, because we started fighting with Martin and Alex. At this point in the race, it's true that my intention was to increase the pace a little, but given the way I did the last laps, I didn't have more. So it's true that for me it was a good race.
Want a fast pace and no overtaking? What do you want ? It's better to have a slow pace and lots of overtaking! You appreciate it more, right? So me too (laughs)! »
You shared this second place much more with the fans this year than three years ago your victory on the podium where you were raw. Is it what you have experienced that makes you closer to them?
“I still feel good. I wasn't the guy who stopped being crude, as you say. I'm just trying to do my job on the track and I think everyone had fun today, everyone enjoyed the race, and that's the most important thing. I continue like this, a lot of things have happened in recent years, especially to me, and also to the world. The most important thing is that I become, little by little, stronger. And if I get stronger and faster, the fans will enjoy watching TV. Because like that, there will be one more strong guy, and one with overtaking abilities. It's true that in the future I have to continue working to be competitive on all circuits, but I feel good and I have a strong character. As proof of my strong character, I was the only one with the soft tire at the rear. When I believe something, I go for it! »
Why is it so easy to overtake on this circuit?
“I think it's easy because, as we said, it's true that here aspiration influences a lot, and I already said it yesterday after qualifying, when I chase Pecco I can improve by many tenths. For example, if you follow someone on another circuit where you have to brake the bike, you sometimes even lose time. But here, you can have a slow pace, but the guy who is at the head of the group keeps the responsibility, and it's harder and more difficult. Pecoo did the race he had to do. If you're in the middle of the group it's riskier because, as we saw, there's a lot of overtaking and it was very easy to hit someone at turn 4. I almost hit Bezzecchi and we made some nice overtakes with Rins. But yes, when you have a slower pace, and when the slipstream is very important and you have to manage the tires, then the race becomes more open in all its aspects. »
You say that you had to use the soft rear tire because it erased certain defects on your motorcycle. Can you specify which ones?
“It's strange, because normally with the Honda you always go in the opposite direction, but sometimes you have to take a gamble, because I predicted what would happen if we chose the same option as the others: I don't would have had no chance during the race! Pol chose the hard rear tire. He was fast on Friday, he was fast yesterday on one lap, but during the race he was too far away, and I think it was because of the tire. In the end, of course we improve Honda but it's the same base we used all year, and it's difficult to be with the others... you have to have something extra! Today I tried to use my experience to choose the rear tire, as I anticipated the race pace was going to be slow. It was a bit of a gamble, but I had planned for it and in the end it was the right decision. »
Do you have any advice for Alex Rins who will be joining the Honda family next year?
“I won’t give any advice!” It will be another opponent (laughs). It's good that those who join Honda are, one a world champion (Joan Mir) and (the other) a driver who wins races with another manufacturer. So like this, we will see exactly the level. I am working very hard to improve the 2023 project, together with Honda and they are working really hard too. So yeah, I'm not saying I wish him the best. No ! Let's go and see. He's another opponent. Otherwise it would be wrong. »
MotoGP Australian Grand Prix results:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
