Between Marc Marquez and Honda, there is currently a period of explanations and developments which do not only concern the new RC213V. The latter must still evolve, of course, but the eight-time World Champion, who was only able to use this bike during two Grands Prix out of four on the program due to a third diplopia, also has other messages for his employer HRC. He wants more effort in general, a dedication that his manager Emilio Alzamora has supported by also occupying the media space. And as we are in the middle of the transfer market, the one who is assured of his fate until 2024 gives, on occasion, some indications on how he sees the ideal teammate...
Marc Marquez exchange. On the margins, of course, as we could see in the sadness of his fall in Indonesia but also in the enthusiasm of his comeback in Austin. But at almost 30 years old, the injuries are hurting more and more and it's time for the bike to help him a little on the track. Especially at a time when competition has probably never been so fierce. He thus recalls after Austin : " in this championship you can never predict whether you can win the next Grand Prix or just fight for 10th place. You have to accept where you are over the weekend. If 10th place is the maximum, you must finish 10th. But of course my goal is to get on the podium in every race, so I'm going to take risks and risk something. But in Texas, there was no possibility of aiming for a podium ».
An analysis which allows him to explain the approach to this sixth place in Texas: “ the most important thing in Austin is that I finished the race. Of course, Bagnaia was right in front of me at the finish. But what would I have gained if I had caught him? A point. I took a lot of risks in this race to come from last to sixth place. I didn't finish fifth because I couldn't. All ten points were important ».
Marc Marquez: “ you can no longer predict whether you can win the next Grand Prix or just fight for 10th place«
And if he was unable to do better, after a catastrophic start from which he came out last when approaching the first corner of the first lap of the Grand Prix of the Americas, it is not only because he was physically “cooked” , like many other of his colleagues. It is because, also, its Honda cannot do more for the moment, even on a favorite track for his eight-times titled driver: “ I did all the overtaking maneuvers this Sunday in the braking zones ", declared the Spaniard on speedweek. " Our bike behaves very well when it comes to braking. But the turns are difficult and it is also not easy to understand what we can expect from the front tire. Our bike is the exact opposite of last year's. This is why we drove in Texas with a completely different configuration than in October ».
And he adds this: “ I made some set-up changes at COTA on Saturday which proved to be an improvement. That's why I had the speed for 4th to 6th place in qualifying. The other Honda riders tried this configuration on Sunday during warm-up and they liked it. It's important that others also like what I like. But we must keep trying. I made it clear to the Honda technicians in America ". For Marc Marquez, there is no longer any question of wasting time or being distracted. Everyone must go in the same direction: theirs. A clear message for the choices to be made for 2023 and beyond.
