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Just two more races, and it’ll be time for Marc Marquez to bid farewell to Honda. In fact, the second to last race with HRC will take place in Losail, before the grand finale in Valencia. In view of the Qatari weekend, #93 is aware that test will be very difficult.
“It’ll be a different weekend compared to last year, but similar to the last,” he said. “I expect a complicated weekend, not so much for the bike, but for the layout of the track, which no longer suits my style. In fact, there’s no hard braking like stop and gos here, which enhance my way of riding.”
Along with the track, he talked about the concessions.
“I think it’s right that they put all the teams on equal footing, especially those who suffer the most. When a company is big, it needs results, otherwise you risk having a single brand. I think it’s also good for the riders, because it raises the level and promotes them. I think that it’s positive for the world championship to have concessions, so that the teams that are struggling can continue to develop. The fact is that we need to find a way to take advantage of the concessions correctly, because it’s not that predictable. When I decided to go to Gresini, I knew that Honda would have ninety-five percent concessions. The engine is certainly a decisive component to focus on.”
Speaking of Gresini, in 10 days Marc will test the Ducati.
“At the moment, I’m only thinking about this weekend, also because Valencia is a week away. I’ll use these days to spend time with my work group and enjoy every moment to the fullest.”
Marquez already had his opinion on the World Championship in Malaysia.
“I stand by what I said, like I always have. There are still four races to go, or three to be exact, because the sprints gives half the points and, in my opinion, Martin has the speed to win. In the sprint in Malaysia, Martin won, and Bagnaia won in the long race. Maybe it’ll be the opposite here. We’ll see what happens then, considering that it could rain in Valencia.”
He then talked about Puig, at the center of the controversy over HRC’s current management.
“I know Alberto, and I feel bad about all this criticism towards him. He’s an honest person, and sometimes honest people have few friends. Alberto is one of those who, if he has an idea, he’lll talk to you about it without any problem, and that’s why I consider him a fundamental figure in Honda, because he’s open to discussion. I think Alberto is fundamental for the Honda project, and there are many times when a team manager can’t decide everything and, as much as you want to do certain things, there’s a group, there’s a staff that decides together but, for me, Alberto has excellent ideas for Honda’s future. I think it would be a mistake for him to come out of this situation in a negative way, because he’s always been very clear and had a project in mind, where some things have been done and others haven’t. Bu I’ve always liked his ideas. He definitely has some good ideas and, if they were to send him away, I think it would be a mistake.”
He concluded with the rider who’ll be taking over Marc’s role.
“I won’t say anything about contracts. I can understand that Honda offers an annual deal, given that all the riders expire in 2024. Regarding Marini, I can only say that he’s an excellent rider with whom I have a good relationship. The natural step forward, putting everything on the table, is a rider who doesn’t have a contract, who you take on for a year, and then you have two free bikes for 2025, you see what the project is like, and you can consider Bagnaia, Martin, Acosta, Quartararo, or Marquez. It doesn’t matter. You can really go with any rider if you have a plan to win. It seems like, because I’m also within Honda but I’m not, that Marini’s contract will be for two years, so I’m a bit surprised, but they have their reasons. We should ask them.”
