Marc Márquez is one of the greatest drivers of all time, that's for sure. But can this 2023 season take it to a whole new dimension? With the 2023 season fast approaching, we present ten topics to watch out for throughout the year. This may concern drivers, teams or other themes, with, each time, a relatively clear-cut opinion: Ihere we get wet. Of course, you are invited to say what you think in the comments.
Yesterday, we returned to the chances of the RNF team, an analysis which you can find by clicking on this highlighted link.
We have already devoted an analysis to the place of Marc Márquez in the history of our sport. Furthermore, we did the same with
Valentino Rossi, and the remarks you made to us were interesting to say the least. Overall, we all think that Márquez is at the top of the basket, but not in first place. In our opinion, he lacks that little something legendary even if he has nothing more to prove.
And the question could well be resolved at the end of 2023.
Indeed, we believe this is the most important campaign of his career. If he manages to take the title or at least secure numerous victories after everything he has been through since 2020, we will have no trouble saying that he is the greatest driver of all time. At the moment, the situation is more than complicated at Honda. The RC213Vs didn't show much performance during the winter, but Marc Márquez is a real “X factor” who can, single-handedly, make the firm triumphant (cassée) punctually: He has already done it in the past.
Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Americans, who like to create concepts relating to sports, call this a “ legacy year ", be one
“year of inheritance”. The term is used to describe a crucial season in an athlete's career, which will be decisive in the final assessment that we will have of him once he has stopped his activity.
Because yes, if he gets injured again, it could well be that the adventure ends and in a sense, we would understand that. Eight titles is already enormous, but we would all have a bitter aftertaste saying these few words, starting point of a uchronia more sad than glorious : " yes, but if he had not fallen at Jerez…”. Despite his greatness, no one could be completely satisfied to see him stop there, at only 30 years old.
His first comeback in 2021 was incredible, but once again marred by health concerns. Returning to the highest level for a second time after spending three years
" in hell " according to his own words would be masterful and would cement his legend.
Now that that is said, what can he really hope for? In addition to avoiding heavy falls, the Spaniard will have to perform a miracle to finally make this bike work. But we think that there is still reason for hope; It remains to be seen whether he is prepared to pay the price.
The best strategy to adopt is to change your approach, and swap explosiveness for
conservatism. Unless there is an anomaly, there is no chance it will be as fast as a bagnaia or that a
Quarterly over 42 races given his package. On the other hand, his talent alone can propel him into the top 5 quite regularly, and we humbly believe that this is his best chance to clinch a ninth world crown, which, by the way, would allow him to equal
“The Doctor”.
Photo: Michelin Motorsport
If he tries to push to play for the win at each start,
like he always did, then we think it will be relatively easy for his adversaries to contain him. Already, he will no longer be as fast as before and at the same time, the others will be faster. Then, this strategy proved ineffective at the end of 2022. As the Asian tour approached, he confided that he had to change to perform in the long term. In Thailand as
Australia, we saw a very attractive Marc Márquez, who did not take unnecessary risks and who “played” intelligently. This version of n°93, which we imagine capable of reaching the 14 à
15 points per race could be dangerous in the championship.
But does he really want it? Despite his statements,
he fell back into his ways in Valencia by absolutely wanting to follow a leading group that was already detached, which resulted in yet another fall. Aside from being less impressive this way – duels are one of his weak points – his career is in jeopardy every time he falls.
We are very curious to see how Marc Márquez will approach the first races. If he calms down and runs more intelligently by controlling his combativeness, then he could pose more of a problem to the competition.
What do you think about the question? If he comes back very strong with a new approach, can he claim an interesting place in the championnat ?
Tell us in the comments!
Will the package be up to standard? Photo: Michelin Motorsport
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
