Marc Marquez ‘instinct’ with Ducati? “Everyone said Jorge Lorenzo won’t adapt…”
Marc Marquez disputes Jorge Martin's theory and thinks he might need time to adapt to Ducati
Marc Marquez has offered his most detailed breakdown so far of his adaption to riding a Ducati.
Marquez was sixth-fastest on the final day of the MotoGP preseason test in Sepang and there are subtle indications that he’s finding his groove.
Ducati rival Jorge Martin has tipped him to fight for the win at the first race of the season but Marquez is insisting that he might need longer to re-discover his form on a new bike.
Marquez was asked if he would be able to ride the Ducati instinctively, and he replied: “I hope so. But this takes time.
“When Jorge Lorenzo jumped to Ducati, everyone said ‘he will not adapt’.
“Then he started winning races in the middle of the [next season].
“My brother, last year, started not-so-good then was good in the middle of the season.
“So let’s see if I’m able to arrive at the top level.
“Of course, the level is there. But not enough.
“To be faster you need to be on the race track.
“One of the issues I could have at race weekends - with Honda, after two runs, I was already on the lap times. Here, these three days, it took a lot of time to get a good lap time. In a test this is possible but on a race weekend, no.
“I need to understand how to be faster on the good lap times.”
Marquez stunned at the postseason Valencia on his Ducati debut.
But his three days in Sepang have presented teething problems in his effort to adapt from the Honda.
Did he expect to adapt quicker?
“No,” he said. “Valencia is a very special track for me.
“Even on the Sunday I fought for the podium and victory with Honda.
“I knew that reality would arrive here.
“I am happy about our progression. We need to understand the way to arrive, like Jorge Martin did on the first day. Why? He knew how to ride the bike. I still don’t know.”
Marquez brutalised himself with a tough third day in Sepang, despite being clearly tired after completing more laps than anybody 24 hours earlier.
He explained why: “I was really on the limit. For that reason, I took a longer break at midday.
“Another sprint race [sim] was not in the plan after 72 laps yesterday. But I said ‘I need to make the last effort’.
“I don’t know if in the future I will arrive at the level of the top guys.
“But I don’t want to have the doubt.
“Keep working, keep working, that’s the key.
“I don’t want to have [regret]. I will do it. I will insist.”
Marquez finished sixth-fastest on the third day of the Sepang test, +0.588s behind leader Francesco Bagnaia.
“Overall at the test, the progression was positive,” he said.
“This is the most important.
“The first day was difficult. The second day I started to work a lot of laps, I was close to the pace, but far on the time attack.
“This morning I woke up at 7am and did a time attack! Today the time attack was better, it was a completely different riding style compared to Honda.
“I adjusted a few things on the bike and a few things in my riding style.
“The team is also starting to understand me better.
“The time attack was better but still half-a-second from the top guys. But they are super fast.
“On race pace, we are closer. In the simulation of a sprint race, in some corners I was faster than my time attack.”
So, is Marquez enjoying his new bike yet?
“It’s never enough,” he replied. “Step by step I am working and feeling better.
“Still, I am riding too stiff on the bike. I cannot play with the body like Enea Bastianini or Jorge Martin.
“Pecco does not play with the body a lot and he’s fast.
“Still, I need to understand the exit of the corner. That’s where you really make the lap times with this bike.
“This is to take maximum profit. The Honda was opposite - the time attack was more on the entry. With this bike, it’s more on the exit.”
He compared last season’s Honda to his ‘23 Ducati: “With the Honda you jump into the corner super-quick. With this one, you need to take care of a few things in the time attack.
“I understand better how to set up the bike.
“Also the technicians understand better how to set up the electronics for my riding style.
“The engine, brakes, torques, delivery - you start with a base but every rider has their style.”
The fastest Marquez on Thursday was Alex, who went fourth-quickest.
Marc reacted: “Alex, months ago, was the winner of the sprint race here. And on the front row. Second in the race.
“Today he was super fast which is good for the team.
“In the time attack he did an incredible time, behind the three factory Ducatis. This is positive.
“On race pace, we were closer. He was super fast.
“Of course I wish the best for my teammate and my brother.”
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
