MotoGP Japan J2, Marc Márquez (Honda Q7/S7) blurs the lines: “Honda is a great brand, as long as I am with them, I will give my best”

Of course, racing is important. It is on the track that the destiny of riders entered in MotoGP is made and undone. But in Japan, transfer rumors concerning star Marc Márquez sometimes take precedence over results. A huge response sends the eight-time world champion to Ducati Gresini, but for the moment, on the lands of Honda, nothing has been decided. Especially since his Saturday was very good; probably not where he would like to be, that's a certainty, but Marc still managed to get through to Q2 to qualify seventh, his finishing position during the Sprint.

After the race, he spoke widely in the columns of GP One. You have to try to read between the lines, but overall, the secret is not in its good performance. « Without a doubt, it was a good Saturday. I managed to get through to Q2 and then grab a third row, which was quite unexpected. I did a good Sprint, I started very strong and took a lot of risks from the first lap." he asserted. As usual, except this time, he stayed on his wheels. “I attacked this exercise as if it were qualifying rounds, except that I was only able to do four. Afterwards, I lost a lot of grip. From then on, I slowed down a bit." This testimony corroborates our analysis written several months ago, which confirms that he is far from being ridiculous when he lets go a little, which he had planned to do at the end of 2022.

 

 

Obviously, he cannot avoid questions concerning his future, especially since we are on his employer's land, on a circuit that belongs to him. The least we can say is that Honda is trying to coax him. « I saw a lot of new faces in the box, a lot of new engineers. It's a big brand with a lot of resources, which can impose a strategy. I think there is not much time left to develop a good bike not too far from the Ducati… ” enough to confuse the issue. The latest noises from the paddock sent him to Gresini, but has the winged firm sufficiently asserted its disproportionate financial power (yet very useless for four years) to convince him to stay?

Kicks him a little in touch, so corporate we will say. « As long as I'm on this bike, I'm doing my best for Honda. I will give my best. » Difficult to see more clearly…

And you, do you think he will join the Ducati fold in 2024? Tell us in the comments!

2023 MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix Sprint Result:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport