Marquez: I have my opinion, Lorenzo has his

Marc Marquez says there is no issue with his future Repsol Honda team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, who blamed the reigning champion for causing the incident that has placed his participation in this weekend’s inaugural Thailand MotoGP round in doubt.

Ducati rider Lorenzo had qualified on pole at Aragon and was on the outside line entering the first corner when Marquez, who lined up in third, dived up the inside. He ran wide, allowing Andrea Dovizioso to take the lead, while Lorenzo high-sided off the Ducati.

The Spaniard has blamed Marquez for the incident, accusing him of making a block pass which forced him onto the dirty part of the track. Lorenzo, who suffered a dislocated toe and a fracture of the second metatarsal on his right foot, plans to ride in FP1 on Friday to determine if he feels able to compete this weekend.

On Thursday, Marquez confirmed he had contacted Lorenzo by phone to check on his condition but stressed there was no problem between the pair, who will be team-mates at Repsol Honda in 2019.

“I already speak with him, I called him on Monday just to know how was his physical condition because I care about my future team-mate, but apart of that he had his opinion, I had my one; first corner, race incident – I don’t understand to speak [further] about it,” said Marquez.

Asked if the incident had caused friction between them, with Lorenzo again criticising Marquez's Aragon move in Thailand on Thursday, the Honda rider added: “No, I speak with him and he didn't say the same... I care more about (what was said on the) telephone. So it was OK.”

Marquez is 72 points clear at the top of the championship with five races to go. A solid result this weekend at the Chang International Circuit would pave the way for the Honda rider to secure his fifth premier class crown at Motegi in Japan.

Marquez said: “The mentality is the same like Aragon, Misano, Red Bull Ring – to try to start on Friday with the mentality to fight for the victory on Sunday, try to prepare all weekend to be ready and then we will see on Sunday if I’m ready for the victory or to try to take points.

“I think this is the best way and we will see if I need to take some risks during the weekend and try to be on a good shape from FP1, because it will be important here. We did the test in the winter time but I think all manufacturers arrive now with a different balance, different bikes, and it will be interesting to understand which is the level of each one.”