For the first time since breaking his humerus in 2020, Marc Marquez is going into a MotoGP season without any physical limitations. The Spaniard is fit enough to fight for the title, just his Honda isn’t. At least not currently.
“We were a long way from the top guys,” he says with a view to the pre-season tests in Sepang and Portimao and is therefore under no illusions for the season opener.
“We can’t think of a podium or even a win, especially here in Portimao. But it’s a long season and we’re working very hard to improve. And Portimao wasn’t that bad. We’ve been able to improve, especially at the race pace.”
“But we’re still missing a lot on the one fast lap, especially compared to Ducati,” says Marquez. “But let’s wait and see. After the first three or four races we will understand whether we can fight for top positions or not.”
Currently, the six-time MotoGP champion does not see Honda in a position to fight for the world championship. But he continues to believe that together we will find a way to change that. “In the end we are a team and we lose together and we win together,” explains the 30-year-old.
“It’s true that the past few years have been very tough for me and for Honda and we’re not in the best situation right now. That’s why we’re not title contenders here in Portimao. We have to keep working, building our project and try to be more competitive in the future.”
Marquez: Just as motivated as on the debut
Despite the ongoing difficulties with the motorcycle, nothing has changed in his motivation. “My ambition is the same as in 2013,” emphasizes Marquez, who made his debut in the premier class and became world champion straight away.
Ten years later he says: “I’m here to fight for top positions. I’ll do everything for it and I believe in it. I believe in the project, I believe in Honda. The championship is very long, the situation can change every day change, as we saw last year with Pecco (Bagnaia; editor’s note).
“He didn’t start that well. He had a lot of problems in the pre-season, but from one race to the next he had a good level and won a lot of races in a row.” Bagnaia even caught up a deficit of 91 points and thus the title.
Of course, the reigning world champion is going into this season as a favorite, especially after his impressive form in the tests. Marquez knows that too: “Ducati has a really strong package – all Ducati drivers, but especially Pecco. He was the fastest, not only among the Ducatis, but of everyone in the field.”
“We’re far away from them and even further away from Pecco. But we’re still working on the bike to improve in some areas, which are basically the same as last year. So we have to keep looking at the points to get closer to the top riders.”
In addition to Marquez, Takaaki Nakagami is also convinced that this can succeed. The LCR pilot confirms: “This motorcycle is impossible. You could see during the test that the gap was too big. But the good thing is that we never give up.”
“We try to improve from race to race and from session to session. We will get closer and in the end Honda can win a race.”
With new staff comes new ideas to Honda
In this context, the Japanese also trusts in the personnel changes that were made at Honda during the winter. Ken Kawauchi moved from Suzuki to Honda as technical director, replacing Takeo Yokoyama.
“Some things have changed and the good thing is that Suzuki had really competitive bikes. You can bring some ideas to Honda’s bike and improve performance,” Nakagami says. “I don’t know how long it will take, but I just think Honda has to win.”
Honda is apparently also intensifying its cooperation with the German manufacturer Kalex. He already delivered a swing arm last year, now a chassis is to follow.
When asked, however, Marquez was unsuspecting on Thursday in Portimao: “I have no news about that. I don’t know anything about it and I don’t have anything like that in the pits. But as I said, we have to keep working in all areas.”
“Of course, the engine is frozen. There’s nothing we can do about that. It will be all the more important to look at the other areas so that we can improve, especially on that one fast lap. Qualifying will be even more important this year because it determines the starting position for two races.”
Because in addition to the usual main race on Sunday, a half-distance sprint race will be held every weekend this season on Saturday. Qualifying on Saturday morning determines the starting grid for both events.